New ARD User

Question

Hello all,
I have an iMac Flat Panel (with Mac OS X 10.4.2) and an iBook (same system). Now, I got ARD because I wanted to control (access) my desktop at home from the iBook at work. But, also, I am helping some relatives with theirs, too (all recent machines and updated systems [OS X 10.4]). One is in Texas while another is in Oklahoma. There may be more as soon as the relatives find out I'm helping...
So, there are times I want the iBook to be the administrator (while I'm at work), and then there are times I want the iMac Flat Panel to be the administrator (when I'm home) and I'm accessing those other computers in another state.
Therefore, can I legitimately use the ARD Administrator on both of my computers without problem and do what I'm thinking of doing? I'm the only one using it as administrator and can only use it one computer at a particular time, anyway.
I was wondering if there is any problem if the one computer has the administrator installed (at home) -- in that that computer might also be accessed by the same administrator program on the iBook (when I'm away from home).
And, I also assume that there are no problems connecting to those other Macs, across the Internet, when those computers are on cable connections (with their own IP numbers).
Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

From a technical standpoint, yes. But legally, you would need to purchase two copies of ARD. The license for the ARD administration application restricts it to being installed on only one computer at at a time.
Thanks for your answer. It seems kind of silly, since I'm going to be the only person who will use it and it's impossible for me to be on both ends (i.e., both computers) at the same time when they are in two different locations. But, I appreciate the answer. It's good to know those things.
I guess it would involve removing and re-installing the program each and every time I move from one computer to the next. Is that what Apple would want me to do -- legally speaking? As I said, it does seem sort of silly, but if that's the only way to do it, then I guess one must do the silly thing.
As to connecting via the Internet, as long as there are no routers, firewalls, etc. between you and the systems you want to access that will block the ports ARD uses (3283 and 5900), it will work. But often that's not the case.
Well, I am also testing out Timbuktu on these machines to see how that works. And even though I'm just testing the Timbuktu right now, I have actually purchased the ARD, and intend to use that one. So, I guess I'll see how the ARD works at a distance, over the Internet.
With Timbuktu, so far, I've tested it on the iBook at a T-Mobile Hotspot while the desktop is on a cable modem connection. And it worked fine with Timbuktu. I'll try the very same set-up with ARD and see if it works as good as the Timbuktu does.
AND -- that brings up another question. Is there any problem using Timbuktu and ARD on the same computer? I think I read somewhere (on this forum) that another user "chained" Timbuktu and ARD together (going in to one machine with Timbuktu and then using ARD on that machine to administer others on a local network). That's interesting. And if that's so, then I guess that's the answer to my question. (Don't you like it?... I ask and answer my question at the same time...)
But, I thought I would still ask and see if anyone else had any problems with that kind of setup (i.e., Timbuktu and ARD on the same machine...).
Thanks for any help.