Last week we looked at "Windows Remote Assistance" to see how you could give or receive help with your computer issues. It works well but as I said there are drawbacks in that you need to be going from a Windows to a Windows computer and could not link with a Mac or Ubuntu (Linux) system. Today we will look at "Join Me."
There are many programs which do pretty much the same thing. Some of the more popular applications are "DameWare," "Go to Assist," "PC Anywhere," "LogMeIn" (the parent company of Join.me) and many, many others. Some of these charge (a lot compared to free) for their services and others are free. However, I do not believe any are as easy as Join.Me.
First, the person who needs someone to log onto their computer for help needs to start the process. It is easy since all you do is open your browser and type in "Join.me" in the address bar. It will automatically add "https://" (the "s" means a Secure site) and take you to the site.
Now, if this is the first time you have used it go to "Share," "Basic" and click the large orange arrow button. This will start downloading the small executable file to your computer. Once the download has finished, find the file and double click it to start "Join.me." Your browser may also choose to "Run" the file if your browser allows it which is fine.
Once installed and running you can click the "Share" button and a nine digit code will be generated for you. It will show something similar to, "join.me/252-743-655." The nine digit number varies each time you use it. Now give the helping person the nine digit number or email them the generated link.
If you email them the link they can click the link in the email and be instantly logged onto your desktop. If you read them the number, via phone as most often happens, they log into Join.me just as you did. But this time they choose the "Join" the meeting after they add the nine digits. They finally click the green arrow and they are in. They will go to your machine and you can both see what is going on with your computer. Do not worry about anyone else using the code. Once you end the session and close "Join.me" someone else would need a new code, generated only by you, to get into your computer.
You have full control and the "helper" can only view your computer unless you allow them further access. If you wish to give them permission to actually "drive" your computer go to the meeting tools (pointer) button and click, "share mouse control." When they are finished take it back. Easy.
It includes many other neat features such as allowing the people you invite to have voice chats over the Internet using their free VOIP, text chat between all the members in the meeting, transferring files to each other and more.
There are always updates and changes to this and every other app. They recently added a couple you may find helpful…if you are a helper. If you have an Android phone/tablet or an iPhone/iPad you can only view someone’s computer from them. You cannot share your screen to get help. It also depends on which version of either OS you have. For Apple products it must be the latest version and depending on what you need to do it could cost you. For Android, free…ah, my favorite word.
