So this post is a little of topic. You could say it relates to running because it explains how to save time -- time you can spend running. It only relates to Linux in the sense that the Linux technician (me) was trying to help a novice Windows user (Mom) remotely.
The problem that needed fixing was a simple email issue. While the problem was easy to fix, the solution would involve a bit of "click here, now type this" tedium that -- for the sake of familial harmony -- I wanted to spare both of us from. Since the computer in question was about seventy miles away and I'm not Dean Karnazes I decide remote access was the only way to go.
SkyFex
The first candidate was SkyFex. They offer a free, secure remote access solution that will work through firewalls and NAT filters. They don't support Linux, but since my wife has a Windows box and I have a copy of XP running in VM instance, this isn't really a problem. The fact that the free account limits you to controlling the remote machine for just fine minutes is a slightly bigger issue. In fact, it was a deal-killer.
Fog Creek Copilot
Fog Creek's Copilot remote desktop offering turned out to be a the winner. They offer similar features: a small easy download for the client, a secure tunnel between machines regardless of NAT or firewall issues.
What makes them a winner, is the fact that the service is free on weekends. Since this was Saturday afternoon, my cost was zero. Had it been a weekday, I would have been out $5.00 for a "day pass". The setup was easy, just provide a name and agree to the terms of service. Fog Creek didn't even pester me for an email address. The actual session is established by sending the person needing help a link to a small download that, when run, prompts for a invitation code (which you can either read to the person over the phone or let Copilot email the person). Once they enter the code, you've got control.
The Copilot Experience
After taking remote control of the machine, I found copilot to be a bit slugish. Maybe this was because their servers where overwhelmed by people like me taking advantage of the free offer or maybe the free service is throttled. Either way, screen refreshes where not exactly speedy.
Aside from the speed issues, I encountered no problems. I was even pleasantly surprised to find that when a restart was required, the Fog Creek Copilot re-established the link when the system came back online.
Bottom Line
Copilot is a good solution for getting easy access to a remote machine. With a $5.00 day pass during the week and free weekends it is a good choice for helping friends and family. The speed issues I encountered where enough of a problem that I wouldn't want to use on a regular basis. If I found myself needing to remote into the same machine on a regular basis, I would recommend Copilot as "foot in the door" to allow installation of the more robust -- like the Open Source Tiger VNC.
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