==== Remote Desktop in Linux ====

Potential programs for Linux:

__rdesktop__
<code>
rdesktop -a 32 -x 0x8F -g 1600x1200 -f HOST -u USERNAME -d DOMAIN
</code>
  * connects to Windows Vista/7 at 32 bit
    * Note that the "-a" option is not found in the man pages
  * the "-x 0x8F" forces font smoothing
  * CTRL-ALT-ENTER will toggle full screen mode on/off
  * When connecting to Windows7 host, get a black cursor
    * Use [[http://rpmfind.net]] to install the following to fix black cursor problem:
      * rdesktop-1.7.0-0.1.el6.rfx.i686.rpm (rpm -Uvh to upgrade default CentOS 6.2 version)
      * rdesktop-1.7.0-0.1.el5.rfx.i386.rpm (rpm -Uvh to upgrade default CentOS 5.7 version)
      * prerequisite is libsndfile-1.0.17-5.el5.i386.rpm
      * prerequisite is libsamplerate-0.1.2-8.el5.i386.rpm
  * [[http://katastrophos.net/andre/blog/2008/03/10/rdesktop-connect-to-windows-vista-with-cleartype-font-smoothing-enabled/]] shows these technical details: \\
<code>
#define RDP5_DISABLE_NOTHING    0x00  
#define RDP5_NO_WALLPAPER   0x01  
#define RDP5_NO_FULLWINDOWDRAG  0x02  
#define RDP5_NO_MENUANIMATIONS  0x04  
#define RDP5_NO_THEMING     0x08  
#define RDP5_NO_CURSOR_SHADOW   0x20  
#define RDP5_NO_CURSORSETTINGS  0x40    /* disables cursor blinking */
</code>

Summary of workaround settings:
<code>
rdesktop -x 0x8F mywinserver   # equals the modem default + font smoothing
rdesktop -x 0x81 mywinserver   # equals the broadband default + font smoothing
rdesktop -x 0x80 mywinserver   # equals the LAN default + font smoothing
</code>

\\
__KRDC__
<code>
rdp:/hostname.domain.com
</code>
  * RHEL5: Applications > Internet > Krdc
  * RDP defaults allow you to set screen size
  * Control panel at top of Krdc launder allow you to toggle full screen mode on/off, also disconnect
  * Suggest turning off Kwallet to store passswords
  * When connecting to Windows7 host, get a black cursor

__tsclient (Terminal Server Client)__
  * Just a frontend for rdesktop, vncviewer, wfica, xnest
  * After you disconnect your sessions, the program annoyingly asks if you want to reconnect in 30 secs or it will do automatically
  * Doesn't appear to be a way to pass arguments to rdesktop for the font-smoothing; also gives black cursor

\\
__Remmina (formerly GRDC)__
  * Not easy to install on RHEL5 from source; many dependencies

\\
__Blank Monitor after using Remote Desktop Connection__
  * http://www.urtech.ca/2014/02/solved-remote-desktop-shows-black-screen-in-windows-7-and-8/
  * Best answer is to disable bitmap caching in the Windows Remote Desktop Connection GUI