AirMote

One of AirMote's [Appstore link]nicest features is that it pairs with a desktop computer without the need for a special server program to be downloaded, installed and running. It uses the VNC protocol, which worked fine in my case. I wish the other remote apps could do this as well in future releases.

Airmote does not show a live screen of the paired desktop computer, but is limited to buttons which are reasonably large to be tapped safely even during presentations when the concentration should be with the audience and the matter one tries to get across. An unlimited number of such button sets can be created, and several sets are already pre-configured. However I found some of these sets not very useful and not well thought out.

The really nice thing is that the user (you!) can define as many additional sets as you like, with a layout which is specialised for one purpose only.

The really bad thing, however, starts then: before you can place buttons on your button set, you have to define the key or key combination that should be sent to the desktop computer. Some standard keys are already defined, but many are not. And to make it worse, it is not possible to select the keys from a list or even a keyboard, which I think would be straightforward, but must be coded with special, kryptic codes, e.g. \xFF3C (or similar) for the shift key... The required codes are listed in a special help screen which is part of the app. One might then first think about a nice layout for the new button set, then identify the required keyboard shortcuts on the desktop, next look up the required control codes in the Airmote help screen, write them on a piece of paper (or use the new OS 3 copy&paste), and define a button. Once you have defined all the buttons you need, you can place them on your button set.... sounds archaic. Not Apple-like and not iPhone-like at all. Any Linux users here? You may have found what you were looking for...