Speaking as one of those guys who used to get calls for PC repairs at the worst possible times, I really wished I had implemented something like NetSupport Manager a long time ago. With this software, you can literally be two places at once and do things that you would not likely be able to do with with Remote Desktop on XP Pro or even using a VNC client/server. Just take a look at these features:

Spy on your friends! OK, I am kidding. But the feature known as ‘Monitor Mode’ does give you some interesting views into a client computer’s usage when the need arises.
• Internet Gateway. Seemlessly add a client’s PC you your ‘circle of help’ - even from behind the most stubborn of firewalls or routers. By adding the use of Dynamic IP services, you can really take on most of your clients from home and save on gas money. Just think, PC repair from your recliner!
• Hardware & Software Inventory. This is one of my favorite features. No longer would I have to ask what new hardware was added, thus having to take the time to run a client through the device manager.
• Enhanced Platform Support. Folks, this software will run on anything! Linux, Apple, Windows, whatever. You can be a real tech of the 21st century and move beyond only being able to remotely support just Windows.
• Power Management. With so many PCs supporting wake on NIC, this feature is truly a must have.
• Active X Web Browser Support. Have more control over a client’s PC than at any other time in the past. Thanks to this kind of support, you can talk to them, utilize their PC audio system, and so on. Very slick indeed!

The Applications are endless: Sys admin, help desk, training, even mobile computing! I have been using their free trial for a few days now and I am digging this above and beyond anything else that I have seen thus far. If you do any kind of remote administration and are looking for something with a little more meat to it, consider this as a viable option!

[tags]pc management,remote control software,xp pro,netsupport manager[/tags]