I service/sell computers on the side. I work full time as a programmer.

I would buy a license for TV but I can't justify the cost for the little bit of business I do every year on the side. I don't need free solutions but the cost has to make sense. TV is just too expensive for me. I am eyeing up "Remote Utilities". I would appreciate any suggestions on a TV alternative.

Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) if you have/are connecting to Windows computers. Every version of Windows comes with it.

Remote Desktop Connection Manager (free, Microsoft). Same as above, but lets you set up groups of connections. Available from Microsoft.

There is a Microsoft Remote Desktop for the Mac, too.

Macs can also just use the "screen sharing" function built in. In the Finder, select the "Go" menu and choose "Connect to server..." at the bottom. Support SMB, VNC, AFP.

I use the above frequently.

Unless I did not understand your question.

I am really looking for something simple that a user who barely knows how to turn on his computer can handle. With TV I can talk them through how to download, install, and then read me back an ID and auto generated password and I can connect to their computer. At times even this can be too difficult for some. I used Windows RDP a lot before I found Teamviewer. I found TV to be much easier for end users to manage.

Have you looked at LogMeIn, WebEx, GoToMeeting and ReadyTalk?

I've never used it, but Google Chrome has a free remote desktop option. Watch the entire video - it has "Get Support" and "Give Support" features that might work well for you.




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTiGI_amQpg