Skip GotomyPC and PCAnywhere - it’s LogMeIn to the (real) Rescue

For those of you who aren’t aware of this yet (and yes, I’m referring to some of you in MY generation), there is a tool called LogMeIn which can give you remote access to your machine. This software trumps the heavier, bloated GotomyPC, which I favored in earlier reviews. With web based email and productivity suites, your obvious answer is “I don’t need it, all my stuff resides on a server someplace else anyway.” In many cases, that may be true - but think on the items your argument misses. What happens when you create a Word document containing business card templates for an employee, travel over to the local Kinkos to pick it up, and find they never received the file? Answer: sit down at one of their web enabled machines, remote into your box with LogMeIn, and either resend the file through your local Outlook, or copy it the Kinkos machine or your USB key (attached to same). There are dozens of cool uses for this software, and it’s amazing that a free version with such power is offered at all.

Still, you might have need for the features found only in the Pro version, which include the ability to send a remote file to your local printer, or drag and drop file between machines. You can also create an instant meeting, a feature which provides functionality similar to that found in the GotoMeeting sofware offered by the same folks who make GotomyPC. There are other options, some of them free or low cost, which perform similar functions. But for reliability and ease of use, plus a feature set which trumps all others, I’d go with LogMeIn for all your remote control needs. You won’t believe how handy it is until you find yourself without a file you need!