XDMCP is slow any ideas? (looking for alternative remote desktops)

Question

I've been used to using RDP on Windows to remote to machines, and I've got an asus eee 701 which I want to use to do some *nix programming on. While the eee is a lovely little machine the screen and keyboard are a little small to use for lots of programming.

I've tried using Xming (the free version) to remote login into the eee from my desktop using XDMCP (or even using a ssh session as a straight X11 server and no desktop on the eee) the whole thing seems seriously slow over wifi the initial desktop takes at least 5 seconds to paint (might even be 10 seconds I haven't actually timed it).

So my real question is what do other folks use for remote control with a GUI for their *nix boxes? I am finding it hard to believe the performance is so bad over a wifi network (It makes the Mac IIs I used to use a college in 1988 seem fast) or is this just a problem with Xming and using say the Cygwin X11 server would be better.

Answer 1

if you want performance, security and flexibility, i suggest takeing a look at nx - nomachine.com has a good windows client, and the freenx server will work on the server side

Answer 2

It's not exactly remote desktop, but it'll work;

www.tridiavnc.com

it is inherently unsecure, but if you control when you are using it, and don't open the port on your router, you should be good.

Answer 3

Have you considered X11 Forwarding using SSH? I have used this with much satisfaction in the past.