Remote desktop is one of those wildly creative computer terms that means exactly what it sounds like. Remote desktop allows you to control the desktop — and, indeed, the entire contents — of a computer from another machine entirely. You do this using a sort of remote control, except that this remote control is not a magic wand but a software application.

Remote desktop is a software application that turns one computer into the boss of another or a series of others. Remote desktop is sometimes found as part of a suite of other administrative applications; other times, remote desktop is its own entity, doing nothing but what it’s supposed to do. Remote desktop software is available for all computer platforms.

Microsoft makes software that facilitates remote desktop, as does Apple. The creative folks at Apple have made a standalone application called Remote Desktop. You Linux folks will not be disappointed, either, as remote desktop applications that run on Linux are also commonly available.

Remote desktop requires that the “master” and “slave” computers be connected to the same network. This remote desktop network can be wired or wireless. Wired networks can use direct connections or connections through routers. Wireless networks can be formed using routers or the Internet.

Advanced security protocols are standard practice inclusions in remote desktop software, especially when the network is a wireless and/or Internet one. The latest versions of remote desktop software have 128-bit encryption protocols. Older versions might have protection of a lesser nature. If you are running remote desktop software, even if your connection is direct wired, you need to run advanced security protocols as well. Not to do so is to invite piracy.

Once the administrator has entered the correct password, the remote desktop software enables that administrator to access the target computer. Then, uploads, downloads, file transfers, and software maintenance can take place. Indeed, software maintenance is one of the most common uses of remote desktop software. Often, the administrator will shut down a malfunctioning software application or install a software upgrade using remote desktop software. This saves the time that it would take the administrator to physically insert a CD into the target computer or to do a manual software upgrade download.

The target computer in a remote desktop scenario is still able to access all of its core functions. Many of these core functions, including the main clipboard, can be shared between target computer and administrator, however. Certain safety features can be built into the remote desktop software protocols such that the administrator is not able to delete or otherwise alter files without the target user’s permission. One other rather revolutionary thing that remote desktop software can do is to allow the administrator to run an audio or video application on a remote computer and have the sights and/or sounds redirected to the administrator’s computer.