Observe/Control Host Preferences

Timbuktu Pro Control and Observe sessions take place in a screen-sharing window, which displays the remote computer’s desktop on your screen. The Observe/Control Host tab in the Preferences dialog box lets you specify options that may improve screen-sharing performance and security when remote users use the Control or Observe service with your computer.

Timbuktu Pro also supports secure screen blanking. Secure screen blanking is a Timbuktu Pro security feature that prevents unauthorized viewing of your computer’s screen while it is being controlled by a remote user.

To change your Observe/Control Host preferences

  1. From the Setup menu, choose Preferences.

  2. In the Preferences dialog box, click the Observe/Control Host tab.

  3. In the Security area

When this option is selected, your screen will blank even if you are working at your computer. You may wish to select this option only if you are the only person who uses Timbuktu Pro to access your computer remotely.

When this option is not selected, you screen will not blank automatically. However, remote users can still choose to blank your screen if you select the Allow Controlling Users to Request Screen Blanking option.

For example, if the Help desk is installing new software or doing extensive configuration of your system, you may need to leave your computer before the installation is complete. When the remote user finishes controlling your computer and disconnects, your computer is locked automatically and remains secure until you return (as if you had pressed CTRL+ALT+DEL and chosen Lock Workstation).

When this option is selected, a remote user can force your screen to blank even if you are working at your computer. You may wish to select this option only if you are the only person who uses Timbuktu Pro to access your computer remotely.

When this option is not selected, remote users cannot choose whether to blank your screen. However, your screen will still block automatically if you selected the Blank My Screen when Users Control My Computer option.

These options are not available when you select the Use Capture Frame option in the Capture Technique area.

  1. In the Capture Technique area

The Universal Remote Control Adapter also supports systems with multiple monitors. If you have a multiple-monitor setup, disable the Use Accelerated Capture option.

  1. In the Presentation area, select or clear the appropriate check boxes to set options as desired.

The Presentation settings allow you to control the appearance and behavior of your desktop while remote users are observing or controlling your computer. Most of the Presentation options, when selected, will increase the screen-sharing performance of Timbuktu Pro during remote-control sessions.

  1. In the Presentation area, select an option from the Filter drop-down list. The Filter option forces a color-depth reduction before screen-sharing data is sent from your computer to the guest computer. (The Loss-Less option disables color-depth reduction.)

  2. Click OK to save your changes and close the Preferences dialog box.