Keeping Granny Online

If you're like me, you're basically a one-person IT department for any relative you have over the age of 40. For me, holiday trips home typically include a minimum 4-hour meditation on whatever computer problem has my parents or grandparents beleaguered at the moment.

To address this problem and ones like it, John (my intrepid brother-in-law) has founded Instride Systems, a company that makes software for sharing your desktop with someone while you are IM'ing them.

John's software lets you grant remote control of your desktop. Once your helper has control of your desktop, you see your mouse moving onscreen as they work, trying to solve your problem. The whole time they're taking these actions, the two of you can IM back-and-forth.

John's software is currently in beta, so you can try it out for free. Go ahead. Give it a shot.