I always seem to be away from my computer when I need to get something off of it. That’s how it is supposed to work…when you need something you can’t have it. The built-in Remote Desktop in Windows XP does a pretty good job but I often use multiple operating systems throughout the day and I don’t want to worry about cross-platform compatibility.
I thought about trying the GoToMyPC but I didn’t feel like paying for a service. LogMeIn came to the rescue with a wonderful free service that will let me connect to my remote computer using only a Web browser. You do have to sign-up for an account and install a small program on the computer but I had the service up and running in less than 3 minutes. It wasn’t even an issue that I was behind a router.
My favorite feature about the service is that when you connect to the remote computer it doesn’t log that person off. It simply give you control of the computer…but that means the person at the computer you are controlling can see everything that you’re doing. That may not be good from a privacy standpoint but I actually look at it as being an additional feature. I’ll start using this to show people how to do things on their computer without me having to go over to their house. 
A Firefox extension is available that supposedly makes things a little easier but I wasn’t feeling adventurous enough to try it out. If you decide to give the extension a whirl let us know whether it is worth installing.
Thanks for the tip Darren! This is an awesome service.
I use LogMeIn all the time, and it works absolutely fantastically. I even use my PocketPC to controly my desktop when i dont have access to another desktop computer. WinVNC can kiss my ass.
I’m in total agreement with mediaphile: logmein ROCKS. Its so ridiculously simple to use. At work we use Rescue (which is a tech support version of the software – not free but with lots of extra features), and our customers love it. Glad to see others love logmein too!
-chris
I can’t believe I had never heard of it until a Darren shot me an email telling me about it. I never even thought of controlling the desktop using my Pocket PC, thanks mediaphile!
Just as someone else doesn’t LogThemselvesIn – then you’re screwed.
Not that I’m suggesting it could happen. I just felt like making a play on words and scaring you all.
Dammit I love this spell checking in Firefox 2.
Actually, now that you mention security I have to say that I am quite impressed with the security measures that they have taken. Not only do you have to login to your account on LogMeIn but you also have to have an 8-character code that you have chosen in order to access the computer.
And yes, the spell check is amazing!
I did something cool with LogMeIn today that I’m sure many of you have tried, but in case not I present [silentfox.org]
Yeh, hardly the best of titles is it.
That looks awesome man! I can’t say that I have tried it before.
Wow! Does it go on forever?
I assume that you have to have a static IP address to do this.?