Providing users with a virtual GUI over VNC

While I have been using Linux for some time, this is an idea I have no
idea how to approach: I wish to allow users to log into my Linux box
from over the Internet. I would like to provide them with a simple
virtual desktop, something like what you'd see in a Microsoft Terminal
Server (I also have very little experience with that).

So far my idea is to use Xvnc and install Fluxbox. As the subject
says, I would require that it be made available over VNC so that it is
accessible from virtually any computer.

Is there an easy way to setup such an environment easily (or do
something similar)? I am considering doing this on Ubuntu Server
Edition.

Thanks.
Brody

BrodyH <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> So far my idea is to use Xvnc and install Fluxbox. As the subject
> says, I would require that it be made available over VNC so that it is
> accessible from virtually any computer.

You really need to either lock down all processes, so that unauthorized
users cannot conduct illegal activities from your machine.

Also you would probably need to configure one desktop per user.

Are you running some sort of secure desktop bulletin board type
application that runs only a specific application? You would not want users to
be able to run a browser from your desktop, or to be able to run arbitary
commands from your machine.

You could provide a remotely accessible web application using zope,
rather than giving remote access.

If you don't need to provide a remote graphical interface, you can just
replace your users login program with the a bulletin board program, or a
secure application of your choice. (Do not permit shell access.)

> Is there an easy way to setup such an environment easily (or do
> something similar)?

It is going to take work, but a dedicated bulletin board application
would probably be the quickest to implement.

I don't know of any graphical desktop types.

You are probably going to end up writing your own application, if you
have a specific purpose in mind.

Mark.

--
Mark Hobley,
393 Quinton Road West,
Quinton, BIRMINGHAM.
B32 1QE.

On Sep 10, 10:11 pm, markhob...@hotpop.donottypethisbit.com (Mark
Hobley) wrote:
> BrodyH<hoskins.br...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > So far my idea is to use Xvnc and install Fluxbox. As the subject
> > says, I would require that it be made available over VNC so that it is
> > accessible from virtually any computer.
>
> You really need to either lock down all processes, so that unauthorized
> users cannot conduct illegal activities from your machine.
>
> Also you would probably need to configure one desktop per user.
>
> Are you running some sort of secure desktop bulletin board type
> application that runs only a specific application? You would not want users to
> be able to run a browser from your desktop, or to be able to run arbitary
> commands from your machine.
>
> You could provide a remotely accessible web application using zope,
> rather than giving remote access.
>
> If you don't need to provide a remote graphical interface, you can just
> replace your users login program with the a bulletin board program, or a
> secure application of your choice. (Do not permit shell access.)
>
> > Is there an easy way to setup such an environment easily (or do
> > something similar)?
>
> It is going to take work, but a dedicated bulletin board application
> would probably be the quickest to implement.
>
> I don't know of any graphical desktop types.
>
> You are probably going to end up writing your own application, if you
> have a specific purpose in mind.
>
> Mark.
>
> --
> Mark Hobley,
> 393 Quinton Road West,
> Quinton, BIRMINGHAM.
> B32 1QE.

Thank you for your response! I will look into web-based solutions, as
this would probably be much easier (not too concerned about the
"desktop").