Things are looking good for BB so, if I'm there, you're welcome to whatever info I can provide.

 

I just double-checked and (as has been known to happen) I was wrong about XP. You can enable Remote Assistance mode (MY COMPUTER : PROPERTIES : REMOTE) and interact with the user on their desktop.

 

For remote control (with or without user knowing) we use Radmin:http://www.famatech.com/ - very popular in help desk environments.

If you dont want to spend bucks...netmeeting is a perfect stepping stone for network conferencing. Especially since it's free. If that gets a lot of use...go straight to webex or ms livemeeting.

Im with ldivinag when it comes to monitoring and recording. Yes, you have no rights in the work place...but that does NOT stop people from trying to sue eating up company funds w/ lawyer fees. Not sure how big your company is...but we get a couple suits a month w/ 3000 people. They arent cheap. Just block it, save someone their job, and your time. When occasions arrise when we need to find some info on someone...a quick \\ into their PC and copy of history files does the trick 95% of the time. No monitoring, recording, etc. All you need is in history dumps already on the PC.

 

At work we had about 180 PC's all using Remote Administrator. Its a really simple program, and provides fast remote admin functions. Only thing I didnt like is that you cant see their mouse move remotely, but other then that its great.

http://www.famatech.com/

Not very expensive, and if you don't care... its easy to find for "free".

Good luck

 

I remember you saying you were "a linux guy" and I've heard more than one "linux guy" speaking in fond terms of this software for log examination:
http://www.splunk.com/

 

Lance,
You can use Timbuk2 for remote desktop.
Install a proxy server to monitor activities and block whatever you want.

 

There are levels of expectation in the work place. For example no cameras in the bathrooms or monitoring conversations between people on the phone (unless it's announced "monitoring for quality or ...").

Your vehicle in the company parking has prection by expectation of privacy.

The company MUST inform employees that electronic communication is being monitored. Failure of a company to inform it's employees is a considerable liability.

I am former Senior Information Security Specialist. That title alone won't be a cup of coffee but, it should say something about my breath of knowledge on this subject.