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It isnt free but it ALWAYS works. You can even run it with only 2 files without an install. All you need is r_server.exe and adm(something).dll.

Myself and some other IT workers (different companies) use it constantly. One of the nice features is you can connect through one computer with the open port and bounce to the others in the local lan.

If you haven't tried it you should at least download and install it. It has a 30 day trial and is $35 per 2 computers. You can even install the serial number remotely... when expired it prompts you to enter the install key.

It is so popular it has been featured in worms to make zombies. So when it asks for a password... you better use one! famatech.com

I have been using Remote Administrator for a few years now. http://www.famatech.com/

The installation is small (around 3MB I think), and it is very fast. I have deployed it on every machine I service in the field (about 30, across Canada), and have no complaints.

For $35 USD for the regular licence (1 server, 1 client), you cannot go wrong. I can even load and play (horribly, horribly slow mind you) many DirectX games. Yes, they look like crap, but I can do it!

They have a new version out, and I have been using the new Viewer program. Absolutely wonderful. Well organized, small, and extremely fast. You can Control, View, Telnet, File Transfer, or Reboot/Shutdown the server you are connecting to.

It also supports integration with Window NT/2000 User Authentication.

Hope it helps, Daryl

We use two solutions depending on the client side hardware. On company-owned hardware (laptops mostly), they are allowed to use cisco VPN. Since the VPN is 1>slow, 2> a pita to set up, and 3>flakey we require an SSH/Remote Administrator combo on user-owned hardware. SSH to a gateway server handles most of the mainframe needs, and allows us to eliminate telnet connections directly from the outside while tunneling Tunneling Radmin allows them secured access to their desktops. Remote Admin is much faster than VNC (although not as fast as Terminal Server), and can be configured for NT authentication

It's not freeware, but take a look at Remote Administrator for Windows. It does hook into the video driver under NT/2000, but even when calculating its own dirty rectangles (Win95+) it's still quite speedy. As a little bonus it has its own root-priv file transfer capability, which saves you from setting up an FTP daemon. I think it's 30$ or so for a single license, a real steal.

Aaah, but Remote Administrator is even faster... (and while not open source, is cheap and not made by MS)

lets do a little (UNIX|Linux)/WinXP comparison here...

10) Remote assistance lets support people connect to people's machines and fix problems over the internet.

Remote X windows, ssh, Linux has had this for years...

9) Locking toolbars: No more accidently fucking up your IE toolbars or your taskbar. They stay where you want them.

Ah now that I like the sound of...

8) Cookie management in the new IE. You can block and accept cookies to your liking based on hostnames. So.. you can let hotmail write cookies, but choose to block some random ad site from doing it.

Konqueror anyone? It's had that for a while now...

7) New visual themes in explorer. New "skins" that let windows different.. finally.

KDE has had this for ages... (GNOME as well probably)

6) "My Computer" can be on the start bar now (the new default) so you no longer have to minimize everything and search for that stupid icon on your desktop. It kicks ass once you get used to it.

Just not relevant; not only are the totally customisable toolbars and desktop menus great for that, the need just isnt there...

5) Compatibility modes let your programs run thinking they're in win9x, win95, windows2000, etc so that things that wouldn't normally work, will.

Linux + WINE = lots of OS choice for your apps. And in UNIXland programs are built to be cross-platform anyway so its not a problem...

4) The new task oriented shell. It is nice once you get used to it. If you open a directory of pictures it will let you view a slideshow of them, print them, etc. If you open a folder of mp3s it has tasks on the left that will let you burn them to audio cd, play them, etc.

I'm dubious of the merits of this. I feel better filetype/MIMEtype/associations/etc do the job just fine (ok I'm stretching this one...)

3)No reboots required to install or detect hardware (most of the time)I've been spoiled by this one. In fact the number of reboots has been cut down to ~10% of what they used to be. I think win2k sucks now ;)

About time... Linux has been 'one reboot at the end of the install process and thats it' for ever

2) Built in cd burning. Burn data cds in the shell or audio cds in media player. Very convenient especially for users that would normally not be able to figure out how to burn a cd.

For people who are too dumb to click 'Install' on the software that comes with their burner I guess that might be useful.

1.5) Remote desktop. Uses terminal services ala win2k server, except you can take over the desktop on the remote machine. It supports more colors than the win2k version,and even does sound. It is like vnc only it is actually fast and redraws the screen properly.

See my response to #10. And if you have to administer Windows remotely try Remote Administrator. Its not free but its shedloads faster than VNC.

1) It is replacing that hunk of shit Win9x/me

About time....

I have to agree. Remote Administrator is great. It is usable over dial up and near real time when used with 1mbit + connections. Excellent program. I've been using it for a while with very few complains. I prefer it over PC Anywhere.