If your issue is with the 3d dock, or shelf/floor, you can make it 2d and possibly more appealing using Terminal - defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean YES
is the command that has been circulating. This makes it look the same as it now does by default when placed on the left or right.
ARD I think is like the windows remote desktop and allows connection to mac servers remotely. Screen sharing is more for when you have someone at the other end that you need to help / work with, as I understand it.
No idea about fan control.