Within the remote-control browser session, you'll find a useful toolbar along the top that lets you access features and options such as sound controls and screen settings. On the left, you can choose the file manager, sharing, and "mini-meeting" tasks from a collapsible navigation bar.

Sharing allows you to send a friend or coworker a link to download files from your LogMeIn-enabled PC, which is a good option for sharing files too large to send via e-mail. You can set time limits or restrict how many times a given file can be downloaded.  And to start a mini-meeting, you can send e-mail recipients a time-limited invitation to access your desktop.

LogMeIn, like GoToMyPC, encrypts connections and uses a separate password for each host PC. You can also enable one-time passwords.

If you're trying to choose between LogMeIn and GoToMyPC, take them both for a spin through their free trials. See which user interface you prefer, and test out GoToMyPC's claims of a faster display to justify its higher cost for yourself.

SHAREDVIEW

Microsoft's free SharedView download offers remote-desktop functions as well, but with a twist. Instead of giving you remote access to your PCs, it lets you share your PC with other people for meetings, demonstrations, or support.

To use SharedView, you'll have to download it. You'll need Windows XP SP2, Vista, or Server 2003 to install the software.

You can then start a new shared session by double-clicking the program icon or clicking a 'Work with me' button that appears on a new toolbar in Office applications. When the silver control bar displays at the top of your screen, you must sign in with a Windows Live ID.

After logging in, you can start a session and invite up to 15 people to join you, via an e-mail that SharedView can quickly set up for you. Each participant will have to download the software and sign in with their own Windows Live ID. When others join, you can choose to share a view of your entire desktop or just specific applications; in the latter case invitees will see only those particular program windows.

Any session participant can offer a file from their own computer as a handout that other participants can download. A participant can also ask to take control of your desktop, which you must approve--and can quickly revoke if they start poking around somewhere you don't want them to go.

While you can type text messages that other participants can see, the program gives no option for sound or voice. For that you'll need to hop on the phone or use something like Skype on your PC. Despite lacking that capabililty, SharedView is a good free and easy option for sharing your desktop or program views with colleagues.