Is there a VNC server for mac with decent international keyboard support?

Question

I'm having trouble finding a VNC server for Mac OS X that allows me to connect from a Windows box with German keyboard layout. I've tried the built-in desktop sharing and several versions of Vine but all of them had problems with several keys.

Does maybe anyone know about a working combination of a Mac OS X VNC server and Windows VNC client which properly supports a German keyboard layout on the client?

Update: I don't think the Windows client is the problem, because I have no issues connecting to Linux boxes. And I've tried several different clients.

Answer 1

First: I am answering your question. I cannot believe the number of posts which are not even addressing your question-at-hand.

I don't know how to verify this for sure.. but.. I have Mac OS 10.4.11 with OSXvnc and I am connecting with UltraVNC client, from Windows.

I use a US keyboard layout in UltraVNC client, and (I've never used German keyboard layout before, so let me know if I'm doing something wrong) I select "German" from the International preference pane.

When I open TextEdit, typing the QWER row produces: qwertzuiop.

Typing the numerical row with Shift held down produces: !"§$%&/()=

So, I guess what I did was: use US layout from Windows client. Set German layout on server.

Answer 2

I had this problem also with the built-in Apple Remote Desktop, and I have almost solved it. In my case, I use a spanish version of Windows and Mac, and I'm connecting to the Mac from the Windows machine through RealVnc (the Mac is using the built-in VNC server, because it's running Snow Leopard).

So, the trick is to select in Mac the ISO variant of your keyboard layout. In my case is "Spanish ISO", and in Windows select the "English USA" layout.

This way I can use my spanish keyboard through VNC with some little and annoying problems: I can't type the '(' symbol, and some keys are still swapped.

The definitive solution is to use RealVNC Enterprise server in Mac, and the viewer in Windows, and all problems are gone :)

Answer 3

The short answer is no.

I have the same problem with a Spanish keyboard connected to an Ubuntu box VNC'd in to a Mac Mini. It was looking hopeful with the people behind OSXVnc looking into it. My solution is to re-connect my keyboard to the Mac, since they are on the same desk...

Answer 4

What about TightVNC as a client? I've had to use it to connect to OSX Server's default ARD setup from Linux, but I'm not sure about kb support either.

Answer 5

Did you try to tell your mac to use a PC keyboard using the German layout?

I seem to recall having used my Mac Mini with a Swiss PC keyboard that way.

Answer 6

If you need to use the client to view the Windows Desktop from mac. use "Chicken of the VNC", free VNC client for Mac OS X. Since I am not allowed to add hyperlinks, add the http part yourself to the links:

sourceforge.net/projects/cotvnc/

Connecting is easy, just enter the server IP address and password. Now you can view your Windows Desktop from a remote location. You can also connect from across the internet.

Now, what if you want to connect to your Mac OS X from another computer? I would suggest you using OSXVNC. Here's the link for it:

www.testplant.com/products/vine_server/OS_X

Hope this helps...

Answer 7

For a windows client that connects to a Mac server, it might be worth coughing up the money for Apple's client. I can't find a link right now, but I know they have one.

Using VNC from Windows to the Mac is far more frustrating than using the Mac-native client.

Answer 8

You can connect to a Mac through command line SSH. You would not be viewing the screen of the Mac, but you would have full control over it like you were sitting in front of it submitting commands through Terminal.