Cool program - Teamviewer

[Pixel_Outlaw]

This free software lets you manipulate a friend's computer from your computer. Since most people here have probably been asked how to install something or simply how to set up MAME or other programs this is a very useful tool to have. There is nothing more annoying than telling somebody how to set up something on their computer when they don't give you the information you need to know. With this program I had MAME up and running in a few seconds on a friend's computer. The night before I had spent two hours trying to get an idea where he was putting his files. The program lets you see their screen and manipulate their programs from your desktop. This is a great program to have if you are constantly getting help requests from friends and relatives. You don't need to know what they are doing because you just go in and do it. Also, I suppose you could use a computer at the office to work on your personal computer at home. If you are the family repair man this will prove very valuable to you for saving time.

This is REALLY helpful for setting up programs/files for family and friends!

Freeware.
http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx

[unsane]

Is it much better than Remote Assistance which comes with Windows?

[emphatic]

Is it better than RealVNC?

[Pixel_Outlaw]

I don't know guys, I just found about this recently. I didn't know windows shipped with such a utility. I am always doing simple maintenance things on my friends' computers and this kind of thing has saved me a lot of time. Helping women set up the simplest things is quite painful.

[cools]

TeamViewer offers the benefit of being able to be used by complete noobs without needing any form of setup, and doesn't have a lot of trouble with NAT etc.

I'd not use it for routine remote maintenance on machines I have under my control, but for the scenario Pixel_Outlaw is suggesting it's absolutely superb.

[szycag]

Hah, I've been using this program to control my desktop from my laptop. It's way better than the one built into windows because if you connect to one computer a lot you can set up a password and don't have to do anything to initiate the connection as long as Teamviewer is up on both computers. If you can do that with Remote Desktop then I never found it, I always had to open MSN which I never use and such.

[cools]

You can do that with remote desktop

[ZOM]

I'll usually use remote desktop but will surely give this one a go. Thanks for the link Pixel_Outlaw.

[Momijitsuki]

I just tested this out with a friend, and I'm surprised at how fast it works. Thanks! :p