Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Simple, Free Web Remote PC Control?

Posted by timothy on from the remote-viewing-the-cia-way dept.

MeatballCB writes "Hey folks. Being the 'technical' guy of the family, I often get calls from friends and family members when they're having PC issues. Most of these folks are not technical, so trying to troubleshoot problems over the phone can often be a challenge. Anyone know of a simple-to-use and (preferably) free service that would allow for remote viewing/control of their PCs? I know there's WebEx and GoToMyPC, but I hate to pay for something I'd use once every two months. I also know about VNC, but trying to walk someone through opening up ports on their router that thinks their Internet is broken when their homepage gets changed is not realistic. Anyone know of anything that would be easy to set up and use?"

11 of 454 comments (clear)

  1. logmein.com by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's a free service for home use. QED.

    1. Re:logmein.com by davester666 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Do you guys REALLY dislike the idea of going upstairs to help your parents with their computer so much that you need to use some complicated remote control setup instead?

      And the exercise from climbing the stairs will do you good as well!

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
  2. LogMeIn by hroo772 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm a big fan of LogMeIn Free. It's pretty easy to setup, and it gives you access to the pc through any browser. You don't have to worry about port issues or anything. I think it's what you should really look into using.

    1. Re:LogMeIn by Tibia1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Wait a second, you told this guy to post this story, didn't you? You're all from logmein, taking part in a ridiculously good adveratising scheme... and your probably paying th- [gets shot]

  3. UltraVNC single-click by um_atrain · · Score: 5, Informative

    UltraVNC single click. Its a reverse VNC, designed for this purpose. They double click the executable, and then automatically connects to your listening client.

    Its customizable so you can make it look professional if needed. They only have to run the file, it does everything else.

  4. VNC is the way ... by Tux2000 · · Score: 5, Informative

    ... you just need to know that your friends (and family members) DO NOT need to mess with their routers. Just YOUR router needs to open a single port (5500/tcp) and forward it to your workstation. Make your friends run the VNC server as usual, start the VNC client on your workstation in LISTENER mode, tell your friends to select "add new client" from the VNC server icon context menu, and make them enter your IP or dyndns address into the popup dialog.

    (Technically, this swaps the roles of client and server on the TCP level, but VNC still behaves as expected.)

    Tux2000

    --
    Denken hilft.
  5. $125.00 per hour by mrmeval · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It fixed my problems instantly when I quoted them my rate. I got tired of being abused by people who refused to learn how the system worked. This was a directed refusal they take pride in. I made my point that I was not longer their slave. Now they get to pay someone who likes the abuse. I would point out the relationship has a whiff of BDSM but they'd not understand that either.

    --
    I'd go on a Vegan diet but the delivery time from Vega is too long. --brownkitty
    1. Re:$125.00 per hour by Clover_Kicker · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What if I like my family?

    2. Re:$125.00 per hour by LordVader717 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's no problem if it's an occaisonal question, but the learned helplessness that many people demonstrate is just insulting.
      When I find them a fix it usually involves a few minutes of googleing, why can't they at least do the same?

      Once a freind asked me to come over for some help and I told him to do a very simple task with clear instructions which he was perfectly capable of. He couldn't be bothered to do it.
      Am I supposed to waste my time just because that's their easiest way out?

      In future I'm just going to send them this link http://xkcd.com/627/

    3. Re:$125.00 per hour by ajlisows · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Here is the thing. My "extended support network" (myself included) prides itself on being able to do things on their own. We noticed some problems with that. Me trying to fix my car and fucking it up worse, friends trying to fix simple computer problems and ending with a computer that won't boot, etc.... I'm pretty lucky actually, much of my "extended support network" has skills that I do not and that are more expensive than computer fixing. My mechanic buddy calls me? I'll drop practically everything to help him. The guy I know that does HVAC, electrical wiring, and some plumbing? I'll help him in a snap. That guy that does drywall and other home remodeling? Sure! I'm called upon more often...but I come out ahead in the end. ;)

    4. Re:$125.00 per hour by bigstrat2003 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Quite right. There are very few people who I'll do tech support for (and all of them are so important that they get it for free, but that's another topic). My parents are two such people. They fed, clothed, and raised me for 18 years without any real benefit to themselves. The least I can do is help them out when they can use a hand. I won't destroy my life just to give my parents a bit of help, but I'll inconvenience myself to very great extents to help them out. Anything less is selfish.

      --
      "16MB (fuck off, MiB fascists)" - The Mighty Buzzard