AstroView is the program you use to view a shared computer. Once downloaded unstuff or unzip the program and launch it. You will see one screen with buttons "View", "Diconnect", "Options", and "Statistics" along with a line whichs shows you if you are currently connected or not. Each of the buttons has an equivalent in the menubar. Statistics shows you the amount of used memory, how much data has been sent and read on the current connection and average connection speeds. Options lets you set some security features and a slow connection option. Disconnect breaks down the current connection. Start brings up another window which allows you to view and control a shared desktop supplying the IP or DNS address, port number, computer name and password. Also available from the "View" menu is the "Sound Settings..." menuitem which allows you to start Voice over IP and pause the display and use of the remote desktop.

You can view the desktop in 3 levels of Zoom: Normal (1X), Zoom Double (2X) and Zoom Quadruple (4X). This ability is found under the "Zoom" menu. Viewing in Double and Quadruple modes decreases bandwith significantly. You can also view at 2 different levels of resolution, Hi and Meduim. That ability is found under the "Resolution" menu. As a suggestion, use High Resolution with Zoom 2X and Zoom 4X and you will get a much better image with minimal increase in bandwith.

You can copy whatever text is currently selected on the shared machine to your viewing machine's clipboard. Do this by choosing "Copy From Remote..." under the "Edit" menu. You can also paste whatever text is currently on your local viewing machine's clipboard to the text insertion point of the shared computer. Do this by choosing "Paste To Remote..." under the "Edit" menu. For both copying and pasting a maximum of 5000 characters are moved with one operation.

Limitations: