Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
Copilot 2.0 supports Macs
I love my mother, which is why I gave her my old G5 iMac (the last of the G5 iMacs) but she isn't really all that tech savvy. To her credit she has gotten much better with surfing the web, and doing email but if a problem crops up on her iMac (which is rare, but it does happen) she calls her own personal tech support agent: me.
I'm not the only person who knows the joys of trying to talk a frustrated parent through some troubleshooting technique. I have often thought about installing VNC, or Apple Remote Desktop on her machine, but I she lives in VA and I live in PA. When I visit her I want to spend time talking and not fiddling with her computer so I can make sure I'll be able to connect remotely when needed.
Enter Copilot, the Fog Creek online 'assistive service' that allows you to connect to a remote computer using a small app and a website. Copilot 2.0 now supports OS X 10.2, and later, as well as both Safari and Firefox. No configuration is required, and the pricing structure is very interesting. 5 bucks will get you 24 hours of unlimited access, and if you find yourself using Copilot more than that there are subscription plans available that should suit your needs.
You can read more about Copilot at this post on Joel On Software, and to get a glimpse into the Mac dev side of things check out this post on Red Sweater blog.
Next time my mom runs into a problem I know who my copilot will be (see what I did there?).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kieran said 2:41PM on 1-26-2007
This should all go away and not be a problem anymore with Leopard. The new version of iChat will support screen sharing.
Step 1: Start iChat.
Step 2: Share screen.
Step 3: There is no step three.
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Frank Lloyd Wright said 4:00PM on 1-26-2007
VNC is free and easy to use. (1) Leave a server on her computer (OSXvnc, I suggest), set to launch on startup. (2) Get an account with No-IP.com and install the No-IP.com client on her machine, set to launch on startup. (4) Set permissions in any hardware or software firewalls to allow packets through on whatever port you are going to be using for VNC (5901, usually). (5) Log in remotely using the VNC client of your choice.
You need to add an additional step if Mom has multiple machines behind her router, configuring the router to tell it which box gets the VNC packets.
The whole setup should take about five minutes.
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Aron Trimble said 3:23PM on 1-26-2007
For me, I think setting up VNC is a better deal.
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DrWho said 4:58PM on 1-26-2007
That is assuming both macs are running leopard otherwise the problem has definitely not gone away.
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Jack Beckman said 3:26PM on 1-26-2007
So use Copilot to install VNC and then save your money.
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Matt Cowger said 3:37PM on 1-26-2007
Be aware there are very significant known issues with CoPilot on Intel Macs. It barely functioned on my MBP, and support confirmed that it has signficant known issues to be fixed alter.
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J said 3:40PM on 1-26-2007
or use Bosco. my mother (and sister, and friend) found it easy to install, free, and felt no worry about security since it's way to connect involves a dial, answer method, which is not complicated.
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Michael said 4:22PM on 1-26-2007
We haven't had any issues with Intel Macs and the latest 2.0 candidate, so feel free to bang away on it now.
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Andrew said 5:01PM on 1-26-2007
People who are suggesting VNC: I'm not in the same city as my Mom, so I can't install any software on her machine. Also, she doesn't know what "installing" or "router" or "IP address" really mean. Is VNC still a reasonable option?
Even Bosco looks way to intimidating, far too many words and numbers for my Mom to use it without confusion.
Seriously, paying $20 or whatever so that my Mom can have me help her after clicking two or three unambiguous buttons is so totally worth it.
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Chris L said 8:11PM on 1-26-2007
Tiger has a built in VNC server, that I think turns on when you enable Apple Remote Desktop. Is there a good reason to get a 3rd party VNC server instead?
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justbn said 10:51PM on 1-26-2007
I was totally rooting for Fog Creek on this. I read "Joel on Software" myself and was quite excited when I read this.
First, for everyone suggesting VNC and others, they only work if you can set them up in advance. What if your sister calls and wants help. Since you haven't preconfigured her to use VNC, you are out of luck. Trust me, I've tried this route enough times to know it's too much of a pain to try to fix something on the fly.
Unfortunately, I could NOT get Copilot to work as a demo.
Step 1 (MacBook Pro) Went to copilot.com and choose the "Help Someone" option, entered my name, and got the security code. I downloaded the app, unzipped it (**** ARGH!!! When will people learn to name the zipped file the same as the decompressed file???? It's ridiculous to try to hunt down the decompressed file that you haven't a clue of the name. Fog Creek - Fix this!!!!)
Step 2 : iMac G5. Went to copilot.com and chose "Receive Help". Entered the security code. Download the software. Unzipped it (again with the stupid name change!!). Tried to run "Copilot Host" Recived this error : "You cannot open the application 'Copilot Host' because it may be damaged or incomplete.
Step 3: Rinse and repeat on the iMac G5 with no luck.
FYI : You will only see this error in Finder. If you try to run the "Copilot Host" from Path Finder, nothing happens.
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Alex said 11:01PM on 1-26-2007
I prefer SpyMe for this purpose! it's really great and the latest version is nice for running on several machines. I'm going to be running video servers in Chicago and helping my dad's mac from Indianapolis! what more could I want?
---Alex
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justbn said 11:02PM on 1-26-2007
Update : Completed the download on the iMac G5 with Safari instead of FireFox. It worked this time. Something is wrong here....
So, I connected to the "host" computer and was able to control it. Unfortunately, the screen refresh was extremely delayed. Actions on the host took at least 5 seconds to be drawn on the helper. Trying to control the host from the helper was just too darned slow.
I don't have this problem controlling remote Macs via VNC. Maybe this is due to the whole world slamming Copilot's servers right now?
Hopefully, things will get better. I'll try again in a few days after all the novelty wears off.
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