Is there any way to do this? What I want to do is embed my home Linux computer in like java, flash, or just basic javascript/html, and be able to control it inside the browser from a *public* Windows computer (I can't install anything on this computer).

Alternatively we have the option of installing Windows software on a thumb drive, I just cant put anything permanent, or big, on the client computer (small temporary installs are allowed -- like how you can carry a thumb drive with firefox on it).

I don't think it would be very difficult (I'm willing to program myself if there isn't anything like this available). If nobody knows of software that can already do this then I want to know:

How can I input mouse and keyboard commands into an X server? I could just run a script that takes screenshots every second or so (I don't care about performance at this point) and receive mouse/keyboard input w/ just javascript (which also loads the screenshots) on the client. I run my own server so I'd just put the screenshots there -- shouldn't be that difficult.

I know this would be a security risk but I'm not really worried about this. As long as you don't send passwords (eg log into your email through the Linux computer)to the server computer or anything then it's really unimportant. The login script (php) would just have an embedded password and the server would automatically run a special user (heh you can even run Linux server-side commands with php!).

I assume you just don't know that vnc runs within browsers via java on most implementations of it?

Well I hadn't actually looked into this when I posted my above post -- it was just an idea I had while at school. I actually can't seem to get java working (the actual server) but you can put the realvnc windows client on a thumbdrive and it works.

Just a note: If 5800~6000 is blocked where you're located you might have to set up rinetd/iptables/your router to forward port 80 to 590X. (then of course you cant have your webserver running But I think I might be able to use 81 or 82 if they're not blocked at school -- I'll have to find out tomorow)

But the windows realvnc client wont let you give it specific ports so you cant tell it yoursite:80, you have to tell it yoursite:-5820 (because it adds that number to 5900 -- local X 3 is located at 5903 and you type yoursite:3). Odly enough though if you type 5900 or 5903 it goes to the port.


Btw what exactly are the benefits of using cygwin to connect to your Linux computer from Windows?

Hmmm ... sounds to me like you're trying to bypass the security at your local educational institution. There's a reason they don't want folks doing what it looks like you're attempting. If they're good admins, they'll probably block your access quickly.

It's the county firewall and they block the vnc ports so people cant log in to a county computer -- they run vnc on all our computers so the system admin can see what you're doing. I really don't think he'd care all that much if I connected to my home computer as long as I don't bypass their censorship and bring up porn or something.

edit --
For some reason VNC doesn't work over port 80 -- not even at home. Port 81 works just fine though. I have apache turned off and everything and I'm using rinetd to forward 80 to 590X (whatever address I have vnc at). There's something specifically wrong with 80 (my router wont forward it for me).

I don't even want to go there.

can i suggest that you don't then...? was there any need to reply at all?

http://sourceforge.net/projects/sslexplorer/
This works through standard ports so they will have ports 80 and 443 open for http, and https. you should be able to install sslexplorer on your home machine then access it using a standard browser from just about anywhere.

Don't use this information for evil

For the record, I was not trying to be mean in my last post. But as the network admin at my work, I can tell you there are are likely problems with what you're trying to do. I would not recommend that you just "think he wouldn't care" if you access your home computer. Depending on the work environment, that could constitute breach of security or confidentiality, and land you out of your job or school. I recommend that you speak with the admins directly to find out what's acceptable network policy.