Expanding Your LogMeIn Free’s Abilities
LogMeIn is one of my must have applications. I love the ability to remotely control my computer from pretty much anywhere. But, there are somethings that I would like to have available which you can only get with the pro version which costs.
Being cheap frugal in these tough economic times, I am providing you with free ways to get some of the options that are only available in the LogMeIn Pro version.
File Sharing
This is probably the only aspect that I really miss from LogMeIn. But, I have found a really simple way around it. I have installed a program called Dropbox on all of my computers when I install LogMeIn. DropBox lets be synchronize by files between the computers and also keeps a copy of the files online for me.
Now, when I remote into my computer via LogMeIn, all I need to do is copy a file to my DropBox and it magically appears back at my system that I am remoting in from. Much better than trying to e-mail a 2GB file!
Printing
Another thing that I miss (but not nearly as much as file sharing) is the ability to print a file from my remote computer to my local computer. I get around this problem by installing a PDF printer such as CutePDF, printing anything that I want to a PDF file, and saving the file to my DropBox. I can then get the PDF at my local computer and print it locally. Granted, there are a few more steps involved but the end result is the same.
Desktop Sharing
If you need to share your desktop with others, one of the best ways that I have found to do this is using Yuuguu. Simply install the application, create an account, and share your desktop. You are now collaborating with whomever you want. All they have to do go to the website, enter a PIN and a user name.
Remote Audio
This is the only thing that I have not been able to reproduce is remote audio. To be honest, this does not really bother me. But, I’m guessing that I would probably be able to stream any audio that my computer produces using a streaming server. That audio would then be available to my through my web browser.
Conclusion
With a bit of advanced planning, you can quickly get access to most of the abilities that LogMeIn Pro provides without the monthly cost.
People will often ask me why I use two different products for remotely accessing computers. My response is simple. It all depends on whether I am performing remote control or remote support functions.
Even though Windows is extremely GUI friendly, I find that if you really want to do some fine tune high end geeky things on your Windows computer, you pretty much need to do it from a command line.
We’ve all done this from time to time. You just show up to work after a two hour commute when you realize that there is a file you need at the other office two cities over. Or maybe your spouse calls and asks you for help with an Excel spreadsheet. The idea of traveling to another location or back home for a two minute solution excites you about as much as a skunk martini. But, what do you do?