[MW Forums]

Apple has updated its remote management software, Apple Remote Desktop, adding tighter integration with Mac OS X Tiger. more

[dreadnought27]

I do wish the price of this would come down - I use Chicken of the VNC, which is free, but is a bit of a bear to set up. I just can't see, however, paying $299 for this - as much of an Apple freak that I am.

[Mactrick]

Actually, the price is more than reasonable when you consider what Apple Remote Desktop actually does. Remote Control of a system is but one feature in the Remote Desktop solution. It can also track Macintosh assets, gather inventory about the assets, provision new hardware, distribute software and applications, etc.
Other solutions for the Windows world are usually priced at $60 - $80 per seat, so even 10 systems will cost between $600 - $800. When trying to manage 1000s of desktops the price can easily reach, and break the $1M threshold.
Of course, if all you need is remote system control, then you're probably better off using open source software.

[daddydoodaa]

I'm a Mac SysAdmin and use ARD and OS X Server to admin and work with Macs in 5 different cities over hundreds of miles. Well worth the money. They paid for themselves quickly. My travel expenses are near zero. I'm able to take the bus into work instead of driving. I only drive for the occasional hardware setup.
After I started putting on the weight form not leaving my desk, I started mountain biking during lunches.
The Windows/Novell SysAdmins are envious.
Rock on!

[jmincey]

"The new version includes the ability for users to do Spotlight searches across multiple Tiger systems."
This is very disappointing. This implies that this functionality will be reserved for this product and not one day be integrated in OS X itself. I had had hopes that this would be among the new features added to a future version of Spotlight. Now it appears I must purchase ARD (or OS X Server which includes ARD). That's a lot to ask for those who simply want the ability to use Spotlight for searches across a LAN.

[solafide]

This is great software for administrators of Mac networks. It would be wonderful to see a less expensive alternative for those of us who simply want to help their remote 83 year old mothers when they get stuck, or any new user. Explanations over the phone from a novice, and phone-directions to them are very challenging.
Here are a couple possibilities that would be grand to see from Apple:
1) an ARD-lite with 2 or 3 users for a lot less money;
or (even better):
2) an enhanced iChat that would include desktop sharing (viewing and permitted control). This would be a highly useful feature, which is part of various other virtual collaboration tools. This would be great for Apple support personnel too.

[hexor]

I would second the wish for a 2 seat version for maybe $99.

[dbutenhof]

In reply to:

---

Actually, the price is more than reasonable when you consider what Apple Remote Desktop actually does.

---

Sure, for a business network, it's probably great. But many Mac networks are HOME networks of 2, 3, 4, maybe 5 systems, and while central management would be an enormous advantage $300 is just way too much to be justifiable.
I'd love to be able to use it at home, but I don't need 10 computers, and I have many far more compelling uses for $300. I really wish they'd cut the price (at least) in half for a 5-desktop maximum to match the limits (and better fit the price restrictions) associated with the Mac OS X family edition package.
Of course, Apple has a perfect right to be uninterested in my money. That doesn't mean we can't wish it were otherwise. :-(

[jmincey]

"I would second the wish for a 2 seat version for maybe $99."
Windows XP has a limited Terminal Services function built-in to each workstation edition of the software. This would allow a remote user to help his mother or to access his own machine. It's a very limited service which allows only a single user to have remote access, but it's great that Microsoft has bundled it.
Apple should do likewise. None of this $99 stuff. There should be a one-user capability integrated into OS X and then for more than that people can purchase ARD.

[j_drake]

Of course, Apple has a perfect right to be uninterested in my money.
They're not uninterested, more than likely they are indifferent /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif but seroiusly most likely they're unaware of your plight/need, after all they aren't mind readers
That doesn't mean we can't wish it were otherwise. :-(
You've heard the old saying "You can wish in one hand and cr@p in the other and see which one fills up first" Instead of wishing, drop an email to Apple support, maybe set up a poll here and let Apple see it, we know they drop in every once in a while. I'd sign that poll/petition cause I agree, using ARD would be a lot easier than some of the open source products out there.

[Peter Cohen]

In reply to:

---

There should be a one-user capability integrated into OS X and then for more than that people can purchase ARD.

---

It's tantalizingly close -- Apple already has the framework set up for it in the Sharing system preference pane, where users can activate Apple Remote Desktop support and can, in fact, activate VNC support as well. So really, all the users need to do is download Chicken of the VNC or another VNC application and run it to control each others' machines, ARD aside.

[jmincey]

"So really, all the users need to do is download Chicken of the VNC or another VNC application and run it to control each others' machines, ARD aside."
Right, with third-party software, one can rig up something to work. (I generally use also OSXVNC.) Windows has plenty of third-party VNC solutions as well. But I think Apple should go from being close to providing a full solution, (albeit on a very modest scale), to providing one outright.
Windows XP offers Remote Desktop and also what it calls "Remote Assistance." Clearly Microsoft doesn't feel this modest integrated functionality impinges in the least on any revenue it derives from licenses for remote desktop on an enterprise scale. On this point Microsoft has it right and Apple shouldn't nickel and dime its customers in this regard. I'm hoping you would agree on this.

[j_drake]

Windows XP has a limited Terminal Services function built-in to each workstation edition of the software. This would allow a remote user to help his mother or to access his own machine. It's a very limited service which allows only a single user to have remote access, but it's great that Microsoft has bundled it.
Jeff,
That would be fine if all one needed was a "limited" ability. Apple should also offer a full-blown version of ARD in different user steps for different folks they'd make a lot more money and keep a lot of different folks happy.
2-3 users $99.00
4-6 users $199.00
7-10 users $299.00
Just my $0.025 worth (inflation accounted for)
John

[hayesk]

In reply to:

---

This is very disappointing. This implies that this functionality will be reserved for this product and not one day be integrated in OS X itself. I had had hopes that this would be among the new features added to a future version of Spotlight. Now it appears I must purchase ARD (or OS X Server which includes ARD). That's a lot to ask for those who simply want the ability to use Spotlight for searches across a LAN.

---

I'm not sure why Apple should include that for free. That really is a network admin feature. The only thing that really makes sense from a user perspective is to be able to search mounted server volumes. You can already do that with a free utility such as EZFind.