Advice/Suggestions: Online Remote Access Service

Published on October 25, 2006 By Xythe In Personal Computing

My 66 year old dad has finally decided to become a PC end-user.

As much as I love my dad, I cant tell you how exasperating it is to teach him how to use his new PC over the telephone from 3000 miles away. Ive decided the best way to both teach him how to use, and to maintain his PC, is to use an online Service.

I have tried other software solutions such as MS Remote Assistance, Ultr@VNC, and the ever trusty PC Anywhere.

He gets a runtime error whenever he tries to open a Remote Assistance session. I have permanently removed the registry keys for Windows Messenger, and of course cant remember the keys; thus I cannot accept a RA request from him. So, both MS RA options to open a connection are fruitless.

I tried using Ultr@VNC, but I simply cannot get him to configure this software for a RA session. This is a freeware, thus documentation is slim, and beyond his scope of understanding. (Remember, my dad is a total noob and really dosn't know how to operate Windows, thus configuring tools are very difficult for him)

He does not want to pay for the Symantec license, and this product is out of the question because its more difficult for him to set up than Ultr@VNC.

So, Ive concluded an oline service might be the best solution as he dosn't have to: Load and configure any software, open ports or configure his router....simply point and click. This will also save my sanity and phone bill- or so I hope

Off I went to browse various services, and this is what I think I like best. I was looking at the WebEx service, and was wondering if any of you guys have used it. I've never made a RA session from a web based service, so any comments are welcome. TIA

Lou

Comments

ZubaZ

on Oct 25, 2006

GotoMyPC.com: (free trial)
1-PC Monthly Plan $19.95/mo.
1-PC Annual Plan $179.40/yr. Great Value (Save 25 percent!)

Xythe

on Oct 25, 2006

GotoMyPC.com: (free trial) 1-PC Monthly Plan $19.95/mo.1-PC Annual Plan $179.40/yr. Great Value (Save 25 percent!)

Thanks Zubaz. I looked at GotoMyPC, and had a look. Then I lookes at WebEX. WebEX seems to offer the same services as GotoMyPC, but costs a little less.

What do you think? Have you used either of the two, or received any credible feedback?

Nakor

on Oct 25, 2006

I've used www.copilot.com successfully with others. Pay as I go, though it's cheaper if you get blocks. I would try to create a new user on his PC and and see if you can get RA tickets working there.

Xythe

on Oct 25, 2006

I've used www.copilot.com successfully with others. Pay as I go, though it's cheaper if you get blocks. I would try to create a new user on his PC and and see if you can get RA tickets working there.

Thanks Nakor. I has a look at CoPilot, and well...they just seem expensive. Copilot costs about the same as GotoMyPC, but limits me to 200 mins/mo. It reminds me of a cell-phone plan and I dont really have anyway of knowing how many mins/mo I will need. I'm not willing to spend more than @20/mo. anyway.

Am I wrong in assuming the services and the quality of service is about the same for all these companies, with price being the major variance?

ZubaZ

on Oct 25, 2006

We used to use webex at work and switched to LiveMeeting.

I've heard good things about g2mpc but never used it.

Xythe

on Oct 25, 2006

We used to use webex at work and switched to LiveMeeting.I've heard good things about g2mpc but never used it.

Thanks again Zubaz....Sounds like a vote for WebEX

Dr Guy

on Oct 25, 2006

6 of one, half dozen of the other. They are basically the same.

Dr Guy

on Oct 25, 2006

I've heard good things about g2mpc but never used it.

I have used Webex, Live Meeting and Gotomypc. Live meeting was the flakiest (but if you could connect, it was fine). The other 2 were sweet! Almost all the time.

If Live meeting has gotten better on the connection, I would say you could not do wrong with any of them.

Xythe

on Oct 25, 2006

6 of one, half dozen of the other. They are basically the same.

Thanks Doc, I'm sold on WebEX. Its a tad less expensive and seems to have a smoother GUI.

Hey Doc, would you mind if I emailed you for a quick question. If so, LouRon@gmail.com

Thanks again

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