Remote desktop over the internet

[ACTCMS]

I've been using logmein for over a year and it works great for me. I do prefer the UI on gotomypc, but afaik there isn't a free version.

[InVermont]

I've recently been using Live Mesh Beta. Works well for remote desktop. Install the client, no setting up IP mapping or firewall stuff. All that is handled for you.
The main problem is when you remote log in or out, it drops the machine to secure desktop, which would be an issue logging into my PVR box.
So I remote into my main computer, then VNC local to the PVR box.
It works, but is somewhat sluggish. Some of that is my crappy DSL, however

[andrew78]

try this software http://www.lanoninternet.com

freeware.LanOnInternet is easy to use remote access software.No Port Forwarding required as it uses Microsoft Windows Peer to Peer Infrastruture.No monthly subscription charges/download limit.

[martint123]

As sub uses ultra VNC that is what I installed when he was diagnosing UK scanning problems. It worked a treat half way round the world, so I got rid of my old software (NetOp) that occasionally crashed the system when shutting down windows.

Netop used to be the fastest screen drawer that I'd seen until I say UVNC and the hook driver - though this is a no-no for the gbpvr window.

[liteswap]

I use VNC running over OpenVPN. It does require a Linux server to terminate the VPN (I have one running anyway) but it's pretty secure - and you don't have to give your login details to any external website, where you don't know for sure where they might end up...

[Talcum]

GBPVR has a web interface. In the configuration, you set a port number on your PC side. Setup a username and password instead of admin. Setup your port forwarding in your home router and setup a Dynamic DNS client.

This allows me to view my recordings streamed or saved to whatever computer I happen to be logged on the internet with. As long as the computer has VLC player installed.

I log into the web interface, change schedules, delete recordings, watch streamed TV shows, listen to my music collection (Itunes folders too), watch my saved movies...

I use VNC to access the desktop, but watch everything through the web interface. It works slick for me.

I would think that would be a perfect solution to your predicament

[rbelisle]

I would second Live Mesh... Free... works well... Just need a Microsoft Live ID... Oh and...

Don't let it update itself if you're using a desktop firewall like Zonealarm... (or ANY remote control sw for that matter) because when it updates, the firewall detects that the program has changed and won't let you connect. Forgot that little tidbit when I went away for a week and half way through the trip, my desktop PC stopped responding remotely. Couldn't figure out what was going on... till I got home and had the ZoneAlarm popup on the screen asking me to let the new version connect to the internet...

Ray

[mian]

I use SimpleDesktop. It's freeware, although now the maker has a commercial product so they don't have it uploaded on their site, but it can still be found via google.

* Genuine Freeware! No ads, No spyware, No time limits, No feature limits
* Revolutionary interface makes navigating a remote computer completely natural
* Cross Platform - works on Windows, MacOS X, Linux, BSD, Solaris ... and many others
* Secure - up to 576 bit strong encryption of the entire session
* Seamlessly serves clients connecting through an HTTP proxy
* Scheduled upload of local machine IP address or Router IP
* Multi-Platform Client Download (1.2M) from your SimpleDesktop server via any standard web browser
* View the remote computer in a window or full screen
* Secure background FTP file and clipboard transfer
* Easily manage user accounts with rich permissions
* Chat to other connected users and to the server host
* Share whiteboards with other users
* Draw on the whiteboard or directly on to the remote screen
* Server side filtering by hostname or ip address
* Unlimited TCP port ranges served by a single server
* No monthly subscription
* Can be optimised for LAN , ASDL/Cable , Modem Dialup or any other network
* Stable, robust and secure server
* Full Featured Browser Web Client (no client download required)

Actually, I didn't know about the browser client part of it. I'm going to have to try that out.

[Talcum]

I swear by the browser client. I use it all the time to show off GBPVR to friends. When they start 'Tivo this' and 'Tivo that', I log in to the web interface and stream a couple videos to make them see the light. Then I play a couple albums and download a movie to put them over the top.
When friends come over for TV nights, they still can't get over how cool comskip is.

GBPVR rocks!

PEACE