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Vine Server & Viewer User Reviews (27 posts)Write A Review
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Nov 19 2008

TOMIS  The viewer insists I enter a "license key" or "request a trial", when I go to request the trial (entering email address and name) it then tells me that a trial license has already been issued for my machine.

Completely useless. There are free viewers available, including Apple's own in Leopard. Making it hard for people to try your software seams a very silly thing indeed.  
(Version 3.0)

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Aug 20 2008

MARKUSFH  IS NOT FREE (anymore?!)

is as good as JollysFastVNC and even better than ChickenOfTheVNC (special chars)  
(Version 3.0)

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Feb 18 2008

GUILE  interesting but too much expensive compared to JollysFastVNC which is free...  
(Version 3.0)

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Feb 10 2008

VILAAMALKA  I was quite surprised when I did lsof -i. I wonder why this server opens an http connection to http://greatestpurpose.com/

whois greatestpurpose.com reveals also some interesting info.

I wonder. NAT traversal? Hmm. Now, I am paranoid, no doubt but, at least, I would appreciate if this sneaky "feature" was documented. Remember, this is a server running as root.  
(Version 3.0)

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Dec 20 2007
*****

SDUTTON  Redstone Software has since reversed their upgrade policy and is offering a free upgrade to all users who have purchased Vine Viewer in the past 30 days (providing a refund for those who already paid for the 3.0 upgrade, which includes me). In light of their sincere apology emailed to current Vine users, I would like to retract my previous review and give them five stars.  
(Version 3.0)

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Dec 19 2007

PHILIPZ  Finally, International keyboard support...

The problem I'm facing is that I can't type the "i" anymore, no lower- no uppercase. Very weird; all other keys get mapped correctly, but the 'i' keypress just doesn't do anything. I tried to contact support, but the registration process is broken ("SMTP authentication failed" or something; I guess their mailsystem needs authentication but their PHP script on the website is not up to date)  
(Version 3.0)

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Dec 21 2007

JONATHANOSX  Sorry about the web-form snafu on the Redstone Software website. That should be corrected now.

We are looking into the fact that some keys map incorrectly on some keyboard selections. Feel free to submit specifics to support@redstonesoftware.com.  
(Version 3.0)

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Dec 18 2007
*....

SDUTTON  I just purchased version 2.2 a little over a week ago, and emailed their customer support about a free upgrade to version 3.0. They told me I had to pay the upgrade fee of $15 just like any previous owner. Eerrgh. It's not the $15 that grinds me . . . it's the blatant disregard for customer relations. Most companies have some small window, a month or so, for those who just purchased a product to receive the upgrade for free. It's a clear indication of how they really view their customers.  
(Version 3.0)

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Dec 27 2006

SOUTHPORTLANES  Honestly; pair this with a Dr. Bott gHEAD and Chicken of the VNC, and runnning a home file server is a dream.  
(Version 2.0)

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Dec 20 2006

JTEAM  In addition to the Vine Server 2.1, which I am really enjoying, they also offer Vine Viewer 1.1 ($24.95).

Why pay for a VNC client when Chicken of the VNC is free? Four big reasons for me. 1) It scales the server's desktop so much easier to view a big desktop on a little MacBook. 2) It has built in SSH capability so that saves the hassle of creating ending tunnels 3) Clipboard support! 4) Really responsive support on their forums.  
(Version 2.0)

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Jan 8 2006

JAMES CHURCHMAN  yes you a correct Arglborps - mac os x tiger does have its owne vnc server - but OSXvnc has many advantages to it:

1) it will alow all the users of the computer to log in and control the system at the same time - not just the one user that is currently logged in. These other users can connect and use the computer with out affecting the currently logged in user. I am not sure that i have clearly explained this but i find it great. I use it by logging in remotly to my user but leaving the login window aprarant on the screen as i don not want to leave my computer loged in and exposed - but still want to remote control it

2) Mac os x tiger's vnc client did not seem to allow me to use the java applet vnc client that i wanted to use. It would show me garbage then give some error. The advantage of the java aplet client is that you can configure web sharing for your computer - then from any computer in the world go to the web address of your computer and be able to log in and control your computer - you do not need to bring a windows or alike client with you and if the computer you are using is a public one where running your own apps is disabled then its the only way to get to your comp

this page http://www.redstonesoftware.com/osxvnc/OSXvnc.html has a small section on it & a link to download

things you will need to bar in mind

1)the index page in the download must be edited (or copied and edited) so that the port is the one for the screen you want to access - often 5901 - the default 5900 wont work and will give errors

2) if you are behind a router then it will need port forwarding to be enabled to your local ip address((usualy 192.168.1.xx) for ports :

80 for the web-server

and 5900, 5901 and more if you assignee other ports to the other users

3) if you are running a firewall then these ports will have to be opened up

4) if you have a dynamic ip address (and can't easily get a static one) they you should obtain a web address from a service like dyndns.com - then get a mac dns update client like DynDNS Updater http://macupdate.com/info.php/id/19006 so that you can easily connect to your computer

hope this helps people - step 2,3 and 4 above are generic to all vnc users - not just ones using osxvnc or using the javavnc client - although having a nice web address does make getting to your java applet client on your computer easier

James

  
(Version 1.7)

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Jan 8 2006

ARGLBORPS  Actually if you're running 10.4 you don't need any VNC server, just start the Remote Access Sharing, it functions as a full-blown VNC server.  
(Version 1.7)

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Feb 1 2006

BUCHO  The only trouble with the built-in server is that when trying to connect from a Windows XP box using 8-bit colour, it doesn't work. So, for slow connections (ie: internet), I prefer to use OSXvnc.  
(Version 1.7.1)

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Sep 3 2005
****½

KEVIN NELSON  Q: The OSXvnc application launches fine the first time but after that it just bounces in the Dock and never launches?

A: This is most likely because you are running APE from unsanity.org. In some situations APE can corrupt the OSXvnc bundle to the point where it can no longer function. Try adding the OSXvnc application to the "exclude" list in the Ape Manager preference pane and re-installing OSXvnc. If that does not solve your problem please contact support at urgent@unsanity.org.  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 28 2005

CONTROLLER  -)

I use VNC a lot in order to control a 2nd Mac without the need for a 2nd screen, keybord and mouse. I hope VNC gets updated to work properly with Tiger.

:-)

.  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 10 2005

TOURNESOL  There is no need for this app if you use Tiger. Remote Desktop supports VNC in Tiger, so just turn it on and set the VNC prefs and you are rolling :)  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 10 2005

FRANCKY  Remote desktop is a paying application, isn't it ?

I know there is a server on my machine, but how do i access it ? Don't we need to buy Remote Desktop to setup the server ?.

:/ confused, i am !  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 10 2005

STRONGMANTIM  Open System Preferences, go to Sharing, and there is an entry for Apple Remote Desktop. Turn it on and you can connect with any VNC client (or Apple's Remote Desktop... which _is_ a pay-for application).

I've used OSXvnc since ever since it has been around, but stopped using it once ARD server became integrated with the system. In my opinion, OSXvnc will have to show some major benefit over ARD if it is going to survive.  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 10 2005

EKC  I tried the vnc support in ARD under Panther and found it a poor substitute for OSXvnc over slow Internet connections. It worked best in a LAN environment. I have yet to try it again under Tiger, however...  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 14 2005

FRANCKY  thanks to all for your insight, i am going to try ARD today.

Thanks again  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 15 2005

I. BALBIN  There was a note on the download page which said

Unfortunately, the original file of OSXvnc 1.61 uploaded to Sourceforge on 8/9/05 was corrupt in that it will consume spare CPU cycles while it is running. We greatly regret this error and apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused. You may use this link to be sure to get a clean build that does not cause this problem:

http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/osxvnc/OSXvnc1.6.1.dmg?download

I have found that despite this, the vnc-server

is consuming 100% of one of the CPUs on my

dual G5 running 10.4.2

Yesterday it wasn't today it is (following

a reboot after the latest security update)

There is something very wrong.

I'm going to try Apple's vnc server and

see what the performance is like.  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 5 2005

EJI  I've had a lot of trouble with OSXvnc 1.5 since upgrading to Tiger. The solution, strange as it sounds, is to delete the old app and drop a new one in its place. It stops the freezing on launch, but after running the server once, the app probably won't launch a second time (even after a reboot).

Hope this gets fixed soon.  
(Version 1.5)

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Aug 23 2005

FLINX  Same issue with v1.6.1.

According to the developper FAQ it seems to be linked to the presence of unsanity.org APE

On the OSXvnc support page I found this:

Q: The OSXvnc application launches fine the first time but after that it just bounces in the Dock and never launches?

A: This is most likely because you are running APE from unsanity.org. In some situations APE can corrupt the OSXvnc bundle to the point where it can no longer function. Try adding the OSXvnc application to the "exclude" list in the Ape Manager preference pane and re-installing OSXvnc. If that does not solve your problem please contact support at urgent@unsanity.org.   
(Version 1.61)

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Jun 3 2005

L66  I have seen the same freeze under tiger, something I thought impossible now. Weird...  
(Version 1.5)

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Mar 14 2005

ANONYMOUS  Maybe it's me that's ignorant but it doesn't seem to handle i18n characters.

Also, my mac has begun freezing up since I upgraded from 1.4 to 1.5. I haven't looked into this in any great detail though, so it might be some other proces that messes with the kernel.

Sometimes the vnc process will disappear during a log out. I've looked briefly at the startup item files and it shouldn't occur but it does.

I'm thinking of going back to 1.4 until I see a newer version.  
(Version 1.5)

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Feb 3 2005
****.

ANONYMOUS  Review by Anonymous

Love it. There's nothing like seeing a PC with OS X running full screen on it. I love being able to control any machine from any other machine. (2/2/2005, Version: 1.5)

---------

yeah.. me too. control freak*  
(Version 1.5)

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Feb 2 2005
****½

ANONYMOUS  Love it. There's nothing like seeing a PC with OS X running full screen on it. I love being able to control any machine from any other machine.  
(Version 1.5)

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Jan 25 2005

ANONYMOUS  No matter what client I use, I get an error message saying "Incompatible version" when I try to connect. This message is apparently not documented anywhere. I can't find it on OSXvnc website or and vnc client websites, nor anywhere on the internet or in the newsgroups. Quite a useless waste of time. Why does this always happen to me?  
(Version 1.4)

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Feb 2 2005

JONATHAN GILLASPIE  "Incompatible version" -- There haven't been any changes to the protocol version that should cause this error. The most likely cause would be if you computer is running ARD 2.0 which conflicts on port 5900, try running OSXvnc on port 5901 and connecting to it with Chicken of the VNC.  
(Version 1.5)

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0
May 7 2005

JUAN ALBERTO MARTíN DíAZ  I have also had this problem with my PowerMac G5, and OSXVnc 1.5, whereas in my Mac Mini it works OK. It also used to work ok in my G5 but suddenly it began to report the same error over and over.  
(Version 1.5)

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May 7 2005

JUAN ALBERTO MARTíN DíAZ  As jonathan says, the problem disappears when you turn the program display into any other apart from 0, port 5900.

I have moved it to Port 5906 and it seems to work ok again now, and I have deinstalled ARP a few days ago but apparently some kind of stuff is remaining in my PowerMac G5.

Another clue: I have never installed ARP in my Mac Mini, therefore I have not encountered any problem with OSXVnc yet there!!!  
(Version 1.5)

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Aug 16 2005

KJARTAN SøRBø  Do I really need to install OSXvnc when VNC-supprt now is integrated in Tiger.

I get the same message when i try to connect to my PB!

From work (RealVNC running on WinXP) i get "no matching security.."

From my friends PB (running COTvnc) I get "incompatible version"

I'm now not running any other VNC-servers than ARD, witch has integrated VNC-support.

What 2 do?!  
(Version 1.61)

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Aug 21 2004
*****

FROODLE VON SMUNGE  Awesome!

This thing works great. I access it from a PC and it is so useful! My Mac has been a bit weird lately (mouse freezing up frequently) and if I did not have OSXvnc installed as a startup item, I would be forced to crash reboot several times a day (pain in the butt but Apple can't figure out what is wrong with it and it is out of warranty). Now I can just hop over to the PC and either keep using my Mac with a VNC client or do a proper restart.

One not-to-be-taken-too-seriously point... in the log, I see the following:

OSXvnc-server[742] Unloading Jaguar Extensions

I use Panther! Gimme "Panther Extensions". ;)  
(Version 1.4)

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Apr 10 2004
*****

EDWARD K. CHEW  Wow, version 1.33 is rock solid! I never lose a connection anymore once it is made (I am using Chicken of the VNC for the client and OS X 10.3.3 at both ends). The only quirk I have encountered is that when you connect through an ssh tunnel, you cannot refer to the remote server as localhost (it works fine if you use 127.0.0.1 instead). This might not be OSXvnc's fault, however. I have noticed problems similar this with other programs since upgrading to Panther.  
(Version 1.33)

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Dec 9 2003
***½.

ANONYMOUS  Version 1.3 worked very well for me with no noticable problems. However version 1.31 has a serious disonnection issue. After sitting idle for several seconds any VNC client will be disonnected from the server. The client can then reconnect but don't leave it idle, or else, wham, it's cut off. Hopefully version 1.32 will fix this and quickly!  
(Version 1.3.1)

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Dec 2 2003
****.

ANONYMOUS  While I normally love OSXvnc, version 1.3.1 appears to disconnect me after about 10-15 seconds idle. However, it does not appear that the server is crashing as its PID is constant. Annoying!

My only other complaint is that the StartupItem is designed to use hard-coded paths to the OSXvnc.app, rather than placing copies of the server in the StartupItem and referencing these locally. Using local copies would mean that the StartupItem has NO external dependencies. That and the StartupItem plist is of the older format...  
(Version 1.3.1)

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Feb 2 2005

JONATHAN GILLASPIE  "the StartupItem is designed to use hard-coded paths to the OSXvnc.app, rather than placing copies of the server in the StartupItem and referencing these locally"

This was such a good suggestion that we choose to do just that in version 1.5.  
(Version 1.5)

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Oct 9 2003
***..

R. SCHAAP - WWW.CONNECTINGMEDIA.COM  We did install this update on several Apple computers.

After a few minutes the computer slows down dramaticly.

You even can't burn cd's or dvd's anymore because of 'Buffer Underun' errors.

We did have the same problem on several types of G4 Powermacs and G4 iMacs.

After closing the program we have had no problems anymore, so use the old version of OSXvnc, this wil give no problems and works great.  
(Version 1.3)

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Jun 28 2003

ANONYMOUS  Might want to clarify docs on main page.

Says some bug is fixed for OS 10.1,

then later says requires 10.2 or later.  
(Version 1.2)

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May 9 2003
*****

ANONYMOUS  Awesome. Combined with the Java VNC applet I can view my desktop from any computer with an internet browser. OSXvnc is awesome. :)  
(Version 1.2)

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