3

I am primarily a Macintosh user, and can usually walk a client though any troubles they may have because I have a Macintosh in front of me. If they are on a different OS, things are close enough, or I cam remember, that I can get by.

When trying to help clients on Windows, I get stuck. I do not have access to windows, and even if I did, there are far too many versions of Outlook, all with their various esoteric settings and checkboxes, that I could never see exactly what they are seeing.

I mostly need to just help them with email setup. Something like copilot.com may do the trick.

What is the simplest remote control software out there, ideally, it would accomplish these:

  1. No software needed on remote end, or, a single .exe that they can toss when done.
  2. I need Mac based software on my end. I do have ARD, which support VNC
  3. Free :) If possible, it would be really nice
  4. Needs a port forwarding proxy run by the company. There is no way I can get the user to alter their router, or to even plug directly into their WAN for a short time.

On the Mac, I just have them open iChat, and this is all built in, proxying through AIM, looking for the same for Windows and Mac.

user17245
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6 Answers6

3

You want Single-Click VNC

http://www.uvnc.com/addons/singleclick.html

  1. It's an EXE they can toss at the end
  2. If you have a VNC server that supports reverse VNC, you are good to go
  3. Yes
  4. You modify your router settings, they only need outbound 5500 TCP
ta.speot.is
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3

Take a look at TeamViewer.

  • The Quick Support is a single executable that establishes a connection.
  • Works on Windows and Mac OS X.
  • Free for personal use, one-time payment for business use.
  • Has other features other solutions don't have, like creating a VPN between you and your client as well as being able to flip the viewer/presenter roles for doing presentations or demonstrations.
Stephen Jennings
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Erick Sasse
  • 191
1

My vote would go towards LogMeIn Rescue.

  1. No software to install
  2. Works on a Mac
  3. Not free
  4. No need to mess with any settings.
Josh K
  • 12,990
0

Try ISL Light It is not free, but also not expensive. Works on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Branko
  • 146
0

Since you have ARD, built into the Mac OS: enable from System Preferences > Sharing either Screen Sharing or Remote Management. I'd suggest Remote Management because you can walk the client through enabling the VNC connection option with a common shared password, and inform them that they can disable/change the password to lock you out later (so they feel confident about letting you "spy" their screen and "steal" their mouse from them).

Then again, in my environment, all my clients have an account that allows our Desktop Support team to get their work done (of course, make sure to get permission, open a chat window first, wiggle their mouse and confirm everything so they don't freak out at you "hacking them" - "Hey, I built your image and fixed your computer the last time you went out of town; give me a break!").

By the way, iChat is a pretty clever solution, however it requires they have/can remember some sort of IM settings. As far as my parents go (my worst clients as far as remembering how to do stuff when I show them how), this was never much of an option. Hence, I keep my own account on their box to bypass the "ease" of ichat's screen sharing. BUT, it's great amongst my tech-savy coworkers. Finally, I can just show our Email manager what the error message I see on my and my clients' Macs, and let him poke it without him having to drive across town to us.

dotHTM
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I really like Ammyy. Its fast and free to use. Dont have to configure anything with your router.

thegreyspot
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