I love my parents dearly, but when it comes to trying to help them with their computer woes, sometimes patience beats out the constant reminders that they raised and supported me for all those many years. Like a good son I call every couple of days and inevitably they have a computer question. Trying to explain simple concepts such as accessing e-mail from multiple locations or having to press the power button to turn their computer back on after a power outage have been difficult at best.
LogMeIn allows you to remotely connect to any number of computers through a web browser. You can see and use that computer just as if you were sitting in front of it. While I had previously tried Windows Remote Desktop Connection, my parents’ computer never had the proper version of Windows or their IP address kept changing. VNC required a copy of the installed software. LogMeIn being accessible from a web browser is a huge convenience as I can access their computer from anywhere I have a computer and the internet. There's even an iPad app, although it's expensive at $29.99, especially when the web service is free.
It’s simple to install LogMeIn onto your computer and then your parents’ machine:
- Create an account on logmein.com and click the “Add Computer” button to install the plugin for your computer.
- Visit your parents’ house (and you should!), log in with your account and install the plugin onto their computer(s).
Now when you go to logmein.com you can easily connect to your parents’ computer and see exactly what they’re doing when they tell you there’s a Windows popup that they don’t understand but can’t tell you what they did to get there or what the error message says because they clicked OK without reading it. I also don’t mind so much when my parents call with that dreaded, “Son, something's wrong with my computer.”
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Another great alternative is TeamViewer. I use it to help everyone I know, and it doesn't even need installation to run, which makes it really simple for those not too technically savvy. They also have android and iOS apps, both free, as long as you don't use them commercially.
^^2nd that :-)
Thanks Jaime, I'll have to check out TeamViewer. There isn't an installation but it looks like you do have to run the executable though right? Their website says - "No installation is required, just run the application on both sides and connect..." so it looks like I'd have to have my parents run the program when I'm trying to help. Believe it or not with my parents that would be kind of difficult to get them to understand how to do. This way also I can connect in when they aren't home and do stuff as needed.
Holy crap I need to put this on my Nana's computer asap.
If you're using a Mac, iChat has a remote control function built in.
@vj - Unfortunately, I'm not a Mac guy. "What," you say? "A PC guy on Unplggd? Say it ain't so!" Although for my parents' understanding of computers, maybe I should be getting them a Mac... ;) All kidding aside, that's great to learn about iChat. Does iChat come with every version of MacOS and are they all compatible with each other? How do you start up a remote connection to control the other Mac? Thanks!
The only warning I have for any of you considering installing LogMeIn to help your less-than-tech-savvy parents/in-laws/friends/coworkers is this: You will actually get called MORE for tech help.
I made the mistake of installing this on my mom's computer 1000 miles away. Instead of the once a week or once a month call asking for computer help, it turned into many calls PER DAY! Sometimes it was even something as simple as clicking OK on a dialog box.
Then again... this is from a woman who can't set the clock in her car and it has TWO buttons: one for HOUR and one for MINUTE.
Moms... the things we do to payback for changing our dirty diapers.
It's funny how things turn around. My father is math PhD and growing up he would always scold me for wanting to just know the answer and not understand the theories and rational behind what I was doing. Now he just wants to know how to get to his e-mail and doesn't want to learn the theories behind it - which is why I kept having to ask over and over again as a kid and now he's having to ask over and over again as an adult. :)