Along with enabling SSH access to my families home computers for the purpose of troubleshooting, I also configured XFCE for remote desktop access using VNC. There are many VNC clients and servers out there which allow you to access a virtual desktop. The method I employ is using a version of Vino modified to work with XFCE, curtsy of the Linux Mint folks.

sudo apt-get install vino
sudo dpkg -i vino-xfce_1.0-mint1_all.deb

In the Settings menu of XFCE find Remote Desktop and click Allow other users to view your desktop and Allow other users to control your desktop Under Security keep Ask you for confirmation checked and also check Require the user to enter this password (edit the password field). In the advance tab you can control if you want to limit remote access to the local network. You are also given an option to configure the port; however, I found that for whatever reason the port is stuck as the default, even by editing text configuration, and thus I forwarded the ports from the router

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It is time to setup the client computer to access your desktop remoutly. There are many VNC clients to do this with, which are worthy of exploration. For the perpose of this tutorial I am going to work with Vinagre.

sudo apt-get install vinagre

once Vinagre is installed you can find it the Network menu. Click on the connect icon and input the IP address into the host field and click on connect (change port if needed and make sure your firewall is configured appropriately). If everything went well Vinagre will ask you for the password. Once you input your password the server computer will display a dialog box asking the user to allow remote access. Once remote access is approved the client will see a screen shot of the current desktop on the server, and if needed can take control over the local network or internet.

Generally speaking, the interface from the Client end is slow and choppy, This might be reduced by using more lightweight window manager options. However, I have found it a great way to have a visual of what my brother is looking at, as I walk him through configuring things, such as Thunderbird.