Courtesy of OSWeekly.com

Continued...

To me personally, a forgettable listing in the Apple product catalog is Remote Desktop 3, but as I’ve looked into it further, I’ve developed a desire to use it, even though I have no need to do so. I mean, with administrator access, you can control a number of remote computers in the same way that you do your current computer. In a sense, it’s like using an operating system within an operating system. You can perform tasks, install software, search and drag-and-drop files from one computer to the other, view the system status, and so on. Being able to view what’s going on in real time with multiple computers at one time is very helpful, and it’s easy to see why some IT people are known for constantly exuding the confidence that comes from being in control of everything.

The ability to use the screen-sharing features of Remote Desktop 3 and other remote desktop software is notable because you can literally let a client computer user watch as you maneuver around their desktop, and this allows you to troubleshoot and provide help to people who are in need of your expertise without ever getting out of your pajamas. What, you expect someone to actually get in a car and drive to your house? Well, as time passes, that’s becoming more of a foreign concept.

There are still repair technicians that will call on you at home, but the industry is being revolutionized by these remote solutions, and I envision it going much further in the near future. While they may not be able to physically remove, inspect, and replace hardware, they can pretty much provide an all-access pass to the operating system, and that’s usually the first diagnostic step.

It’s inevitable - more companies will spring up that offer remote PC repair and instructions. Once you explain to a client what the process of enabling remote desktop functionality on their computer is like, then the ball sits in your court to take control and do your job from your house, a coffee shop, or even the beach.