Creating separate session for remote desktop

[Dave M G]

Ubuntu Users,

I frequently use Remote Desktop to connect with another person and
collaborate on coding. I open my computer for viewing and the other
person logs in.

However, I also use Compiz for my window manager, and Compiz and Remote
Desktop do not get along at all. The visual effects of Compiz are too
much for Remote Desktop to handle, so the person who logs into my
computer can't see any activity.

What I do in order to work around this is to switch to Metacity before
starting the Remote Desktop session, then switch back to Compiz when the
session is done.

However, this comes with a high hassle price. When switching between
desktop managers, window positions get shuffled, things like Avant dock
have to be manually restarted, and in some cases I've found that there
can be slow performance with Compiz after such a change, so I often end
up rebooting anyway.

What I'd really like to do is be able to have a separate desktop
environment that I can switch to and do my Remote Desktop from there,
then switch back to my regular environment. Ideally, all the
applications and settings I had would not be disturbed.

I think the obvious suggestion is to have another user account on my
computer. However, I've found that having a different user account lands
me in a world of permission issues. I want to be able to access all the
same files and applications that my regular account has.

Is something like this possible in Ubuntu?

Thank you for any advice.

-- 
Dave M G