11 September 2006

Easy remote desktop?

A while ago, I remember someone blogging about a remote desktop style tool that was very easy for people to use.  It was where you went to a website, got a key, and then someone else went to the site and entered in the key.  Then you cold get onto their system.

Trying to find the site, since my sister has been having some spyware problems and she isn't tech savvy, so walking her through it over the phone is painful.  And I won't be seeing her again until late October, so hoping to get some sort of easy remote desktop going so I could take a look at it.

Posted 8:14 pm | Archive

Comments

Jayson Knight on 9/11/2006 at 8:47 pm

What about remote assistance via Windows Messenger (assuming she's running XP)?

Charles Kelsoe on 9/11/2006 at 9:07 pm

You can try logmein - they have a product logmeinrescue that does this. i believe it comes with a trial number of uses

on 9/11/2006 at 9:26 pm

My sister doesn't use Windows Messenger.  I remember there was a site that offered (likely for a fee, but that doesn't matter) where it was zero install, zero configuration.  That is ideal for this situation, since she doesn't know what she is doing, and she is on a campus connection, where they block most inbound traffic.

Vince on 9/11/2006 at 9:44 pm

webex?

Matt on 9/11/2006 at 10:07 pm

Well.... options:

1. she installs, runs it when she needs help (runs in the tray) and you log in (www.logmein.com - free, www.gotomypc.com)

2. You set up a "meeting" and in that meeting, you can take control... www.gotomeeting.com will probable be the easiest with a free trial.

3. Remote admin system with tools (reboot, system info - www.gotoassist.com or as above, logmeinrescue. Gets more expensive as you go form 1-3.

4. Microsoft partner?... partner benefit and get www.livemeeting.com

All connections are outbound so usually not an issue. I have used many more and only problems I have are in the coporate environment when the user does not have rights in install locally.

mabster on 9/11/2006 at 10:56 pm

Ken,

The product you're describing is Fog Creek's CoPilot.

https://www.copilot.com/

HTH,

Matt

Patrick on 9/11/2006 at 11:15 pm

http://www.realvnc.com/ will do it.

Richard Dudley on 9/12/2006 at 6:09 am

Matt's right--you're thinking of CoPilot.  I use it often.

Lifesaver.

Mike on 9/12/2006 at 6:57 am

Yep, it's Copilot. Works great.

Chris on 9/12/2006 at 7:44 am

I was going to recommend remote assistance as well. I finally got my mom on MSN Messenger, after years of only using AIM, so that I can get into her machine with Remote Assistance to help her out.

on 9/12/2006 at 8:06 am

CoPilot is it!  Thanks!

ASB on 9/12/2006 at 9:49 am

Cool... HelpDesk via Blog... :)

Wyatt on 9/12/2006 at 5:23 pm

There is a documentary about the creation of CoPilot if anyone is interested.  The movie is called project aardvark I believe, it is actually pretty nice to watch as a developer.  Although, make sure not to have your friends and family watch it, they will think it is boring (unless your friends and family are all programmers).