In today’s digital world, being able to share your desktop screen with others can be incredibly useful for a variety of reasons, such as remote collaboration, troubleshooting, or even teaching. In this article, we will focus on how to share your Linux desktop via a web browser, using different methods.
Yes, it is possible to share your Linux desktop via a web browser. There are several methods available, such as using tools like Whereby, Guacamole, Google Hangouts, Jitsi Video Bridge, Chrome Remote Desktop, VNC or xrdp, and Deadsimplescreensharing.com. Each method has its own advantages and limitations, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Method 1: Whereby
Whereby is a popular tool for video meetings and screen sharing. It works well on Linux and doesn’t require users to have an account. However, it only works with Chrome and Firefox. The free version allows up to 8 viewers.
To use Whereby, simply navigate to the website, create a new room, and share the link with others. They can then join the room and view your screen.
Method 2: Guacamole
Guacamole is a more advanced option that serves directly to a web browser without the need for client software. However, it requires a somewhat complex installation process.
To install Guacamole, you’ll need to download and install the guacd daemon and the Guacamole client. The exact commands will depend on your Linux distribution. After installation, you can access your desktop from any web browser by navigating to the Guacamole server’s address.
Method 3: Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts allows you to share your desktop with others, but it has limitations on the number of participants (up to 10 people) and lacks keyboard control. To share your screen, start a video call, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select “Share screen”.
Method 4: Jitsi Video Bridge
Jitsi video bridge supports screen sharing, text chat, and an etherpad. However, it currently requires Chrome or Chromium as other browsers lack some necessary features. To use Jitsi, navigate to the website, start a new meeting, and click on the “Share your screen” button.
Method 5: Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop allows you to share your computer with a single person, but it requires users to install additional software and use Google Chrome. After installing the extension, you can share your screen by clicking on the “Share” button and sending the generated code to the other person.
Method 6: VNC or xrdp
VNC and xrdp are tools for remote desktop sharing. VNC is readily available on Ubuntu and only requires an IP address and optional password for connection. xrdp uses Windows 7’s built-in remote desktop tool and can be accessed from Windows by inputting the host name or IP address of your Ubuntu machine.
To install VNC, use the command sudo apt-get install vnc4server. To start a VNC server, use the command vncserver :1, where :1 is the display number. The other person can then connect to your server by entering your IP address and the display number in a VNC viewer.
To install xrdp, use the command sudo apt-get install xrdp. After installation, the other person can connect to your machine by entering your IP address in the Remote Desktop Connection tool in Windows.
Method 7: Deadsimplescreensharing.com
Deadsimplescreensharing.com is an easy-to-use and free solution that works with Chrome. It allows screen sharing with Mac, Windows, and Linux users through a browser, but the free plan has limitations on the number of participants and duration.
To use Deadsimplescreensharing, navigate to the website, click on the “Share screen” button, and share the generated link with others. They can then join the meeting and view your screen.
Conclusion
Sharing your Linux desktop via a web browser is a versatile and useful capability. Whether you’re collaborating with a team, providing tech support, or teaching a class, these methods provide a range of options to suit your needs. Remember to always consider the privacy and security implications when sharing your screen, and only share with trusted individuals.
Yes, several methods mentioned in this article, such as Whereby, Jitsi Video Bridge, and Deadsimplescreensharing.com, allow you to share your desktop with multiple viewers simultaneously.
It depends on the method you choose. Whereby, Guacamole, Google Hangouts, and Deadsimplescreensharing.com can be used directly from a web browser without any additional software. However, options like Chrome Remote Desktop, VNC, and xrdp require installation and configuration of specific software on your Linux system.
It depends on the method you use. Whereby, Google Hangouts, Jitsi Video Bridge, and Deadsimplescreensharing.com only allow screen sharing without keyboard control. However, options like Guacamole, Chrome Remote Desktop, VNC, and xrdp provide full control of the shared desktop.
Yes, most of the methods mentioned in this article allow you to choose whether to share your entire desktop or specific applications/windows. For example, Guacamole, Chrome Remote Desktop, VNC, and xrdp allow you to select the specific application or window you want to share.
Yes, many of the methods mentioned in this article, such as Whereby, Guacamole, Google Hangouts, Jitsi Video Bridge, and Deadsimplescreensharing.com, are cross-platform and can be used to share your Linux desktop with users on Mac, Windows, or other operating systems.
Yes, the number of participants allowed can vary depending on the method you choose. Whereby’s free version allows up to 8 viewers, Google Hangouts allows up to 10 people, and Deadsimplescreensharing.com’s free plan has limitations on the number of participants. Other methods like Guacamole, Jitsi Video Bridge, Chrome Remote Desktop, VNC, and xrdp do not have specific limitations on the number of participants.
Sharing your Linux desktop via a web browser can be safe if you use reputable and secure methods. However, it’s essential to consider the privacy and security implications. Ensure that you only share your screen with trusted individuals and use secure methods that encrypt the data transmission. Additionally, keep your Linux system up to date with security patches and follow best practices for online safety.
