Kerkia

Background

Remote control software tools allow you to remotely control a computer through an internet connection. This includes all administration functions and this is typically done by presenting a full view of the remote computer in a local window. This can be either done with a service running on the controlled machine, so it can in principle be controlled at any time, or with a user being on the control machine and explicitly granting control access to the controller. Usages are multiple and include mostly remote administration, remote user support, etc.

As opposed to simply using the built-in remote desktop capabilities of Windows, this kind of software crosses VPNs and does not need knowing the exact IP address of the controlled system.

Please also have a look at the desktop sharing software solutions, since there is a large overlap between what services those solutions can provide.

Recommendations

Our main recommendation is Teamviewer, a superbly designed product for remote computer control. The free version is however limited to non commercial usage and to only one remotely controlled computer. This is however just fine for most personal usage.

For all usages, we found Gbridge is a great alternative. It includes many other features including file sharing, sync/backup and IM. The downside is that it requires a Google account on both sides, since it runs on top of the Google’s gtalk service, and it of course requires somebody on both sides of the connection.

A very flexible solution, although it requires a specific download on both the controlling and controlled computer, is Zolved. It opens a web form after each session and seems a bit limited but it is fast and works pretty well.

Yet another solution, also useable for all purposes, is LogMeIn. The install is only on the controlled computer, and the program runs as a service which allows unattended control. The controller uses a web-based application. The downside is that the free version is quite limited in features, and the solution requires providing a lot of personal information, which some may not feel comfortable with.

Finally we need to mention UltraVnc SC, which is based on the UltraVNC project (http://www.uvnc.com/). This solution is a lot more complicated to set up in many cases, since it requires opening the appropriate ports in the firewall as well as to customize your router’s configuration. It does deliver tons of features once setup however, but we feel this solution won’t be acceptable to most Kerkia users.

Web links

Teamviewer

Web site: http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx

Download: http://www.teamviewer.com/download/index.aspx

Gbridge

Web Site: http://www.gbridge.com/

Download: http://www.gbridge.com/

Zolved

Web Site: http://www.zolved.com/remote_control/about

Download: http://www.zolved.com/remote_control/show (shower), http://www.zolved.com/remote_control/view (viewer)

LogMein

Web site: https://secure.logmein.com/US/products/free/

Download:https://secure.logmein.com/US/products/free/

UltraVnc Single Click

Web site: http://www.uvnc.com/pchelpware/sc/index.html

Download: http://www.uvnc.com/pchelpware/sc/download.html