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
From the Setup menu, choose Preferences.
In the Preferences dialog box, click the Observe/Control Host tab.
In the Security area
Select Blank My Screen when Users Control My Computer to activate secure screen blanking automatically when a remote user observes or controls you computer. Secure screen blanking is a Timbuktu Pro security feature that prevents unauthorized viewing of a computer’s screen while it is being controlled by a remote user.
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.
Select Lock My Computer When Users End Control Sessions to lock your computer when an incoming Control session is complete.
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).
Select or clear Allow Controlling Users to Request Screen Blanking to specify whether remote users can force your screen to blank when they control your computer.
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.
In the Capture Technique area
Select Use Accelerated Capture to use the video-driver-based remote control component, which increases Timbuktu Pro's screen-sharing performance. Clear this check box to use the Universal Remote Control Adapter, which makes Timbuktu Pro more compatible with different video cards and video settings.
The Universal Remote Control Adapter also supports systems with multiple monitors. If you have a multiple-monitor setup, disable the Use Accelerated Capture option.
Select the Use Capture Frame option to restrict the view of your desktop when a remote computer establishes a Control or Observe connection to your computer. During the screen-sharing session, only the portion of your desktop that appears in the Capture Frame is displayed in the screen-sharing window on the remote computer.
Select or clear Use DirectDraw to enable or disable the use of DirectDraw (which allows Timbuktu Pro to send screen information directly to the video adapter). In most cases, you will not need to disable this option.
Select or clear Use Hint Provider to enable or disable the use of Hint Provider (which allows Timbuktu Pro to access application messages). In most cases, you will not need to disable this option.
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.
Disable Desktop Wallpaper removes the Windows wallpaper from your desktop while a remote user is controlling or observing your computer. The wallpaper is restored when the remote control session ends.
Disable Active Desktop disables Active Desktop on your computer while a remote user is controlling or observing your computer. Active Desktop is restored when the remote control session ends.
Disable Animations disables desktop animations on your computer while a remote user is controlling or observing your computer. Desktop animations are restored when the remote control session ends.
Disable Full Window Drag disables full window drag (in which the window's contents are displayed while it is dragged) on your computer while a remote user is controlling or observing your computer. Full window drag is restored when the remote control session ends.
Disable Screen Saver prevents the screen saver from being activated on your computer while a remote user is controlling or observing your computer. (For example, if the screen saver is automatically activated after a short idle time, it may activate during an incoming remote-control session if the remote user is idle for a brief period.)
"Kill" Screen Saver deactivates the screen saver on your computer at the start of an incoming remote control session.
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.)
Click OK to save your changes and close the Preferences dialog box.