http://www.crossloop.com/
Awhile back, I did a review of Logmein, an excellent free solution to securely remote control your desktop from (think of GotoMyPC) another computer via a webpage, with a quick mention of Crossloop as an alternate.
What is CrossLoop?
CrossLoop is a remote control tool designed for connecting to a remote computer, even through a firewall without any configuration.
Wait, I thought you said you liked Logmein?
While Crossloop is indeed an alternate, it doesn't quite fill the same niche as Logmein. This is not a bad thing, however! Let me explain.
Crossloop is an excellent product that is so simple to use, I would trust it with any of my relatives. Here's how it works:
- The "Geek Squad" member of your family (probably you), browses to http://www.crossloop.com/, downloads, then installs the program on your PC.
- Your relative (or whomever is on the other side of this remote desktop support connection) downloads and installs it on theirs.
- You both open the application on your computers, respectively.
The remote person needing assistance:
Remote user clicks on 'Host', gives the support person the access number shown on their screen over the phone or email (etc.), and clicks 'Connect'.
The support person:
Support guy/girl clicks on the 'Join' tab, types in the access number, then clicks 'Connect'.
Support guy/girl does a little geek dance, because they just saved themselves about an hour of time with CrossLoop instead of trying to walk someone through configuring outbound/inbound ports their firewall (or some other burdensome task).
That's it. The remote user will get a dialog stating that a remote user is attempting to connect (and show some information about the remote computer). They would then accept the connection, and *shablazm*, you are off and running with a remote control session!
The benefit?
There are no configuration options, no command-line parameters, no ports to open or forward, and no websites to go to (other than to download the software in the first place). As the "joiner", the only thing I had to do was click 'Allow' when my Firewall pop-up asked about the outbound connection when running CrossLoop. Other than that, everything has worked flawlessly for me EVERY time I've used it.
The guys over at CrossLoop are very responsive and are concerned about their product. I suggest you go and support them right away!
Security
From CrossLoop's website:
CrossLoop is powered by the proprietary CrossLoop VIP Tunnel, a secure peer-to-peer data transmission system. CrossLoop encrypts all files and messages exchanged on our network to ensure user privacy. Only you and your invited friends or family can view or share control of your computer. A CrossLoop session can only begin on your computer by explicitly inviting them to begin a session. All data sent over the CrossLoop network is encrypted at the endpoints using a 128-bit Blowfish encryption. For more detailed information on CrossLoop security, visit our security page.Behind the scenes:
The Windows version of CrossLoop uses the TightVNC software plug-in for screen sharing. We have included a binary distribution of the TightVNC program in the installation software of the Windows version of CrossLoop to save you the trouble of separately downloading and installing TightVNC. If you have any questions about your rights related to TightVNC (which is licensed under GPL), please see our detailed description of how we use VNC.The niche for CrossLoop vs. Logmein.
This is like comparing apple crumb cake to apple strudel (I love both, by the way!). While there is some obvious overlap of functionality, there is a difference in the end use of these two products.
CrossLoop is excellent for those ad hoc connections when your aunt Wilma calls you and wants you to connect to her computer to help her. For Wilma, opening up CrossLoop isn't that much different than calling a support phone number. She doesn't have to sign up for an account anywhere, and installing the application is a very simple affair, which even not-so-savvy PC users can handle with relative ease.
Logmein is excellent for situations when you need to get to a computer, even if no one is around on the remote end to accept the connection. Of course, this requires that a person logs into the Logmein website with a valid account, and downloads/installs the client on the computer while logged in, adding that computer to their account, making it accessible from the website.
There can be a little confusion as to how to add a 'secondary user/administrator' to their PC via Logmein, i.e. if the account connecting remotely is different than that of the account that installed the Logmein client. CrossLoop greatly eases this burden by utilizing an "impromptu connection" when both parties are ready.
Logmein does have a bevy of other features, like remote reboot, additional performance options, etc. (the paid version has much more), but I like to think of Logmein as an extension of my workspace, giving me a lot of control over the remote computer, where CrossLoop is a very simple to use support tool (for everyone, not just the "Geek Squad" of the family!), leaving the "CrossLooped" person with a little more control.
Give it a shot, I promise you will not be disappointed!
Alternates:
4 comments:
Rob - a BIG thanks from a small team at CrossLoop for this neat review on our product and for bringing us to your readers and, very importantly, for urging your readers to help us spread the word!!
If you or any of your readers have questions, please feel free to email me anytime.
Stay close to our blog - some exciting stuff coming soon.
Thanks
No problem! Like I said before, I only post about software that I love (or find interesting, CrossLoop fills both of those niches!).
You are providing an invaluable service, and I hope that you keep bringing us more great features and a passionate attitude!
This one is similar to ammyy
That one is free as well. But as the resident family helpdesk, I quickly bumped into their limit on free connections a month or whatever, so it stopped working. on one computer. the other pc in my network was fine. how it differentiates between pcs I haven't been motivated to find out about yet.
But this seems a good alternative, thanks.
Sounds good. I am a marketing person and I use remote control software often. So far I used numerous applications. Currently I am working with RHUB’s multi-capable remote control appliance in my office. It's little bit different from the other solutions since it's appliance based. It's a firewall friendly and multi-platform supportive appliance. You can have a look at their website. www.rhubcom.com
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