Filed under: Software, Internet Tools
LogMeIn Free for Mac
LogMeIn looks like a great way to support those remote Mac users in your life that depend on you. In my circle of friends I am known as the computer guy (both Macs and PCs, I'm just that good) so I know the pain of trying to get someone to launch System Preferences over the phone. 'Ok, just click on the little icon in the Dock that looks like an Apple with a switch next to it. Sure is taking you awhile to find it.. Oh, you decided to click a bunch of stuff I didn't tell you to click. Yeah, that's great. Now, do you have a recent backup handy?'
Suffice to say, tech support over the phone isn't fun when you're supporting people who aren't especially technically savvy. Enter LogMeIn, which offers up a simple and free way to remotely administer someone else's Mac from a web browser (sadly, Safari only for now). The product is in beta at the moment (what isn't in beta in this day and age) but it looks promising and you can't beat the price.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
kylindell said 4:37PM on 6-08-2007
wait.. so can you see what someone else is doing on their computer, through yours?
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Scott McNulty said 4:40PM on 6-08-2007
kylindell, it acts much like other remote admin programs, the user whose computer you want to control must grant you permission to do so.
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Nick said 4:54PM on 6-08-2007
Looks neat, and the ability to turn off the remote screen should make it a little faster than VNC.
Unfortunatly the pricing / licensing is not so nice. The PC version starts at $13 a month $70 a year. Hard to justify when VNC is free and simple to install. VNC options like Schnitz Remote http://www.schnitz.com/remote.html are free and so simple to use even my 80 year old mother who cant make a folder can figure it out.
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Patrick said 5:16PM on 6-08-2007
@3, you don't like the pricing? Maybe you missed that this is part of the "Logmein Free" product line. Free as in beer.
They've had Logmein Free for the PC side for a few years. Like the name suggest, it's free. You CAN pay more for the Pro version -and get a few more bells and whistles- but the Free one works fine for most users.
@1, I use Logmein to remotely control *MY* PCs from offsite work locations, from hotel rooms, from my PDA (when it still worked), and controlling my home PC from work.
It's worth noting that controlling Windows PCs from a Mac client has worked, like forever. Simple Firefox plugin works fine with my MBP and bingo, I have control of all my Windows boxes at two different sites.
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JloR said 5:21PM on 6-08-2007
Neat. But I still like VNC over this..
Does anybody know which background image is on this screenshot?
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bradders said 5:31PM on 6-08-2007
JLoR,
Its called 'Clown Fish' and is in the Nature folder of the Desktop & Screensaver system pref panel.
In /Library/Desktop Pictures/Nature on my system.
I use ARD, but its less free than this app :(
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Codey H. said 6:18PM on 6-08-2007
WOO HOO!!!!!
I'm a die-hard user of LogMein on my windows machine at home.. now that I can use it on my Mac, I'm thrilled folks.. THRILLLED!!!
:) *screams in the background with excitement*
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Old Boy said 6:38PM on 6-08-2007
Some useful advantages logmein has over VNC etc. are that:
You won't need to open any firewall ports at either end. If your company web connection lets you do home banking you can probably use logmein too!
2) It uses 256 bit encryption SSL so there is no need to use it through a VPN tunell
3) You don't need a fixed IP address as it logs on to server (like Sykpe etc.) and dynamically updates it's IP address record.
4) The control end is just a simple browser plugin so if you company has software white list you won't need to instal any program to say remotely control you Mac at home from your office PC.
I've installed and tested it, we have a very tight IT Policy for surfing on office PCs but I can easily control my mac mini at home... awesome.
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Chris Biele said 6:43PM on 6-08-2007
OMFG. Scott, I know exactly where you're coming from.
"Yes, now it's the one that has a picture of an Apple on it and it's grey." "Does it look like a compass??"
"NO! (in subdued voice) That's Safari...look over towards the right..."
"Ok, I think Skype is opening now."
It's even better when I've gotta do it in Spanish. Oh well, practice makes perfect.
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iGO said 8:24PM on 6-08-2007
This is EXCELLENT NEWS! I have always looked for a service like this. In the all PC world, gotomypc.com offers a beautiful interface with an excellent working service to do just this. I've chimed in a previous OS X discussions asking how I could remotely log in to my 10 year old son's iMac to help/troubleshoot/assist with issues. In those instances I was provided with a complex, "Mac OX Hints" type solution, but this service looks to be the ticket. I'll be sure to download and provide LogMeIn with my feedback.
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paul said 10:33PM on 6-08-2007
We use this at work, its a great tool!
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dgaland said 10:47PM on 6-08-2007
all you tech support guys will love this (if it's not old news to you all already): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q8DriPCX2o
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BobbyW said 11:25PM on 6-08-2007
Number 8 made a good list for number 5.
I like VNC - but I've been using logmein more and more. You don't have to install the vnc client on whatever machine you're sitting at. Great if you're at an in-law's house, etc.
The full screen mode is better than a lot of vnc clients.
It has other features too. Like file transfer.
If you drift from computer to computer you always have a list of the machines you can take control of. With vnc you have to add them to the client list.
I find it a little more responsive than vnc too.
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wplate said 11:41PM on 6-08-2007
I don't see how this helps me in a tech support situation. It says you log into your LogMeIn account, click the computer (obviously linked to the account), then enter your user name and password.
So I have to get my customer to install this thing, then link their computer to my account, and then tell me their login and password? That part will take 30 minutes of explaining all by itself!
I want SIMPLE. I send my customer-in-need some unique URL, they go to it, they grant me permission to control/view their system, done. Netopia has something called eCare which looks simple from the customer-in-need's point of view, however it has to be expensive. I emailed them asking about pricing and didn't get a reply, I imagine if you have to ask...
It would be nice if there was a way Remote Desktop could tunnel in through firewalls ala Skype. I know, TB2 can use Skype, but then I have to explain to them how to install the evaluation version of TB2, then install Skype, then add me to their contacts, then add me as a user in TB2...
ARGH. What am I missing about this LogMeIn thing?
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andrew harrison said 12:52AM on 6-09-2007
@wplate:
you can use the LogMeIn IT Reach thing. I haven't really played with it yet, but from what i can tell, you get a unique url that you can send your client, which will install the software on their computer and then add them to your account so you can view their computer.
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Frank said 4:34AM on 6-09-2007
Do all these positive comment look fishy to anybody else ?
Looks to me like a bunch of company hacks are doing pr and posing as legit users. I don't think I have ever seen such aggressively defensive comments before on TUAW.
These IP addresses are logged, aren't they ?
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Will Royall said 7:43AM on 6-09-2007
Frank,
LOL They may be shills for Logmein, but I can assure you that I am not. I have used the PC version it to control my work Win box from home and it has been reliable so far. Looking forward to giving the Mac version a shakedown - it will make it so much easier to troubleshoot my brother's Macbook!
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gbnyc said 10:14AM on 6-09-2007
I'm suspicious that it's slowing my Mac (G5), and now I can't figure out how to uninstall it. I deleted it from my login items, yet it somehow starts up automatically (and puts itself back in login items) upon restart. Documentation only refers to the PC version.
Any suggestions how to stop it from starting up on login/restart?
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SoloMalee said 10:16AM on 6-09-2007
I'm also have nothing to do with Logmein...I use it on all my PCs and family members who want my help. It's really great, once installed on the client, it just works...no frakking around with firewalls and ports. As someone else said, it even works through most corporate firewalls. Sure, the client to control needs to be pre-prepared, but, so does VNC.
If you are wanting to control 'random' customers machines, then the Logmein Free is not the right product, one of their other offerings is what you need.
This is one more app ticked off my list making the switch to Mac possible...OpenOffice...Logmein... now if only the latest games werea vailable on Mac .
Try it,youmight like it...in any case, VNC is still there for you if you don't.
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Old Boy said 12:50PM on 6-09-2007
Quote - "16. Do all these positive comment look fishy to anybody else ?"
Well I wrote number 8 and I'm an IT Tech for UK Govt agency, and not a shill! I even blogged about LogMein - http://philbridges.com/?p=73 earlier this week.. zzzzzzzz
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