Surprisingly, even though I’ve been freelancing (at least part time) for a year now, I haven’t needed to access anyone’s desktop remotely. Reviewing software for remote desktop access was always in the back of my mind but I hadn’t gotten around to testing different products/solutions.
Last week I had a training solution with a client who told me about Crossloop. I installed it, she sent an invite code, it connected and we were on our way – easy peasy.
There may very well be a better program for remote desktop sharing, so please feel free to list recommendations in the comments.
Crossloop has a PC and MAC version. You must enter your email address to download it and to really benefit from the features, it’s best to create an account. Once it’s installed, you are given a share code. A new one is generated each time. If you want to share your desktop with someone else, email your share code to that person. If they want to share their desktop with you, they email you the share code. Once you enter the code it takes a view moments to connect and then you can see the other person’s desktop and even take control of their mouse.
This works great when teaching someone how to use ftp, install WordPress, install plugins, learn how to use WordPress, or troubleshoot computer problems. I’m really glad the client suggested that we use it – I learned about a great remote desktop solution and it made the training session a lot easier.
Crossloop also has a find a helper section where you can try to locate someone that can help you with the computer problem that you are having for a fee. If so inclined, you can also sign up to be a helper and possibly earn some money assisting others with their computer problems.
Like I mentioned, I haven’t tried other solutions but I was pleased with Crossloop – I thought it worked great for a free remote desktop program. There was a slight lag in viewing the other desktop but nothing that couldn’t be managed.
Please let me know about other recommendations you may have.
photo credit: KRISnFRED
A gift from above. THANK YOU!
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Hi – Great! I hope it works out. A friend gave me a recommendation for another. I’m going to test that one out too.
Thanks for the link! Please remind folks that if they like it, they should consider donating to the folks who wrote the underlying open source software engine: http://www.tightvnc.com/donate.html
Hi Dan – Thanks for the reminder. That’s an important message to include.
For web conferences you should try http://www.showdocument.com ,
Great for online teaching and collaborating. I use it for working on my designs with other in my field.
Its free and pretty simple – you just upload your file and invite others to view it together.
– Laura W.
Hi Laura – Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll take a look at it.
Hi Kim:
I had not heard of Crossloops but will certainly try this one out. I’ve been using TeamViewer, which sounds very similar. (free for personal use)
Does Crossloops have much of a time lag with seeing the mouse activity on the screen?
Michelle @mmangen
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Hi Michelle – There is some lag with Crossloop. When I use the mouse and move files around on the remote computer there is definitely a delay. It’s the one thing I don’t like about it. Does TeamViewer have the
same problem?
Hi Kim – there is a tiny lag with TeamViewer but not much of one. Overall it’s pretty good but I am def going to try Crossloop too! I just love trying out new tech tools.
Unrelated but one I can’t live w/out is Fences by Stardock. I keep way too many things on my desktop and Fences keeps it quite tidy!
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Kim – a thanks from all of us at CrossLoop.
We have not heard of any lag apart from a few cases here and there due to wireless networks.
If you continue to see that, please email us at support@crossloop.com
If you have any other questions, you can find me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/mrinaldesai
Hi Mrinal – Thanks! I am using a wireless connection so that would explain the lag issue. Next time I try it I’ll test it on a wired connection.
Thanks for the tip and review. This was something that cropped up at our place the other day, so I’ll be passing this on for one of the guys to take a look at and try out. Cheers.
Hi Nigel – Let me know what you think.
We use http://www.dimdim.com/ with our clients and it works great.
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Hi Kristy – Thanks for the recommendation. I have so many to try now.
Kim, have you tried out “Showmypc” yet? It’s also a remote desktop sharing software just like the Crossloop did. I’ve used it for over two years…
Hi Wilson,
I haven’t tried it – thanks for the recommendation.
Hi Kim,
Welcome to check out Mikogo. It allows you to share your desktop with up to 10 people. Free for private and business use. And very easy to start. For more information please drop by http://www.mikogo.com. You can also find us on Twitter: @Mikogo
Cheers,
Hsiang-Yi Cheng
The Mikogo Team
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Hi – Thanks for the information about Mikogo. I’ll have to check it out.
Interesting post, Kim! I could see multiple applications. How secure is it? Could it be used for an accountant to access QuickBooks remotely? Could it be used by a graphic designer to tweak someone’s project? I definitely could see you using it as a teaching tool too so people like me who unlink buttons (yes, I did it again) could see how you fix them.
I could also see you using it to help explain a change to clients who don’t have the skills you have.
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Hi Julie – I find it works best for training than for fixing things because there is a bit of a lag – apparently it works better with a direct rather than wireless connection but I haven’t tried that yet. I’ve used it 3 times with one client who wants to learn rather than have me fix everything for her.
The person that you send the access code to can view anything on your desktop. And you can give that person control of the mouse. So, a remote user could view Quickbooks or troubleshoot other problems.
I got a lot of recommendations for other software in the comments so I’m hoping to test some of those as well.
Hi Julie – I am one of the co-founders of CrossLoop.
CrossLoop from the ground up has been built with security as a key criteria – all sessions are 128 bit encrypted and NO ONE knows what is being shared on desktops except bits. Accountants frequently use our product.
Here is a detailed review of CrossLoop in The Wall Street Journal here from last year, which talks to security of our software and tests use case for technical support:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122230045122473363.html
and a more recent piece in The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/technology/12shortcuts.html
Millions of user all over the globe use CrossLoop for remote training and computer support
Thanks Mrinal :-)
I’ve tried CrossLoop, but I decided against it because it can be confusing for a computer novice to install. Now I use the ShowMyPC VNC program to service people’s computers worldwide. It doesn’t require installation, you just download it and start it up. It works great!
Hi Robert – Thanks for the recommendation – it’s great to hear about other choices.
Crossloop sounds decent. Like you, I’ve done some exploring of the remote access options, and I’ve been hooked on RHUB. It’s easy to use, and it’s secure. P.S. Froot Loops are the best!