Hardware

Take control of any PC on the Internet with CrossLoop

By // March 21, 2007, 1:04 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • Whether it is for troubleshooting or collaboration, sometimes you just need to see what is on a user's screen to really know what is going on. The free software utility CrossLoop makes connecting any two personal computers as easy as typing a phone number and clicking connect.

    The CrossLoop software can be downloaded from the TechRepublic Software Library. The 1.6MB installation file is an executable file, so starting the installation process is a simple as double-clicking.

    Check out this TechRepublic article for a review of CrossLoop.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The installation process is about as simple and straightforward as you can get.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The CrossLoop EULA has been changed. The basic CrossLoop shown in this gallery will always be free.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The CrossLoop files only take up about 2MB once installed, but need about 4MB during the actual installation process.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • At least you get a choice of where you want the CrossLoop shortcut to exist.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • It is also a nice surprise that CrossLoop doesn't make the assumption that you want to install a CrossLoop icon everywhere one can be placed. Too many applications make that assumption.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Always a good idea --- the installation wizard summarizes what is going to happen during the install. Pay attention, because when you click the Install button the rest of the process takes less than five seconds.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • And we are ready for launch. But don't expect a big production.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • This is the first thing you see when you start CrossLoop. Not much to it is there?
    A user can type in an access number to join with another computer from this screen.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Or from the Host tab a user can host a session by communicating their access code to another user.
    From a user standpoint that is pretty much all there is to it.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Here I have started a session on my production machine and I am waiting for my test lab tablet PC to request to join.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The user on the tablet PC end, types in the access code and clicks the connect button.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Back on my production machine I am presented with an opportunity to allow or deny access.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Once the join request from the tablet is accepted this is the message I receive on my end. That's it. At this point, if I click a link or modify a document, it will be reflected on the tablet. And vice versa, whatever actions the tablet takes are reflected back to my production machine. This can lead to a fight over who contols the mouse, but each machine is seeing and experiencing the same activity.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The connected message on the tablet PC is just as simple. No use wasting words.

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

  • At the end of the session, CrossLoop asks for some feedback from the non-host tablet PC. This is another indication that the CrossLoop folks are contemplating fees for this service.
    What would you be willing to pay?

    CNET Networks / TechRepublic
    Mark W. Kaelin

Whether it is for troubleshooting or collaboration, sometimes you just need to see what is on a user's screen to really know what is going on. The free software utility CrossLoop makes connecting any two personal computers as easy as typing a phone number and clicking connect.

The CrossLoop software can be downloaded from the TechRepublic Software Library. The 1.6MB installation file is an executable file, so starting the installation process is a simple as double-clicking.

Check out this TechRepublic article for a review of CrossLoop.

CNET Networks / TechRepublic
Mark W. Kaelin

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By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.