GoToMyPC

GoToMyPC is a remote control software service that enables the user to operate his or her computer from another computer, over the Internet. Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, produces GoToMyPC.

Technology and business development

GoToMyPC was originally developed by Expertcity of Santa Barbara, CA, founded in 1997 to provide third-party tech-support services. It was modeled after competing software such as pcAnywhere from Symantec, [cite web | author=Business Software | title=Symantec pcAnywhere 12.0 supports Macs | publisher=Mac News | year=Apr 6 2006 | url=http://www.macnn.com/articles/06/04/06/symantec.pcanywhere.120/ ] allowing the desktop view of a host computer to be manipulated from a client computer that is connected through a TCP/IP network. GoToMyPC enlarged that software model by using the Internet for connectivity, protecting transmissions with high-security encryption and multiple passwords. By combining a Web-hosted subscription service with software installed on the host computer, transmissions could be passed through highly restrictive firewalls. [cite web | author=Hal Goldstein | title=Easily access your work computer from anywhere | publisher=Pocket PC Magazine | year=Sep 2004 | url=http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_archives/sep04/gotomypc.aspx ] In its product literature [cite web | author=Expertcity | title=GoToMyPC: Like Being There | publisher=Expertcity, 5385 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA | year=2002 | accessdate=2006-04-25 |url=https://www.gotomypc.com/downloads/pdf/broch.pdf "GoToMyPC works by using the Internet, Expertcity-hosted secure servers and Expertcity patent-pending screen-sharing technology to enable users connect to their computers from any Web browser."] and press releases [cite web | author=Expertcity | title=Sponsored Item: GoToMyPC 4.0 featuring PocketView | publisher=Pocket PC Magazine | year=2003 | accessdate=2006-04-25 | url=http://www.pocketpcmag.com/newsl_ceu/ce_update_186.htm "Using Expertcity's patented screen-sharing technology, servers connect the computers and automatically launch a Viewer window that allows users to see and use their desktops in real time."] Expertcity spoke of patent protection for its proprietary technology.

In December 2003, Citrix Systems of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, acquired the GoToMyPC service and its developer, Expertcity, for $225 million, half cash and half stock. [cite web |author=Stacy Cowley |title=Citrix buys GoToMyPC maker for $225 million |publisher=NetworkWorld, IDG News Service |date=2003-12-18 |url=http://www.networkworld.com/net.worker/news/2003/1218citgo.html] News reports from January 2006, indicated that Citrix had attained the leading market share for Web-hosted remote access. [cite web | author=Mark Templeton | title=Citrix Q4 2005 Earnings Conference Call Transcript | year=Jan 18 2006 | publisher=Seeking Alpha Network | url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/5991 ] The following month, however, Citrix was faced with a lawsuit filed by [http://www.01com.com 01 Communique] Laboratory of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, [cite web | author=Patrick Danner | title=Citrix Systems sued over patent | publisher=Miami Herald | year=Feb 2 2006 | url=http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13776246.htm ] claiming that GoToMyPC infringes a patent. [cite web | author=Steven P. Meyer, Pedro P. Nascimento and Andrew Cheung | title=System computer product and method for providing a private communication portal | publisher=U.S. Journal of Patents | year=Aug 9 2005 | url=http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,928,479.PN.&OS=PN/6,928,479&RS=PN/6,928,479 ] Expertcity appears to have introduced key features of the GoToMyPC service during 2001, [cite web | author=What's News | title=New Service Offers Remote Control of Your PC | publisher=Wall Street Journal | year=Sep 6 2001 |url=http://interactive.wsj.com/archive/retrieve.cgi?id=SB999723847321875907 Subscription required. "A new Web-based service called GoToMyPC enables users to control their desktop PCs...All of the data...is encrypted and Expertcity says the service will operate through many corporate firewalls."] while the 01 Communique Laboratory patent was filed June 16, 2000. The 01 Communique Laboratory patent application was published November 21, 2002, before acquisition of Expertcity by Citrix. If patent coverage and validity are upheld, outcome of the lawsuit could depend on whether Citrix can establish that Expertcity had documented or was practicing the patented art before it was documented by 01 Communique Laboratory.

Editions and features

GoToMyPC has been sold in three editions -- Personal, Pro, and Corporate -- providing increasing service management capabilities. Version 6, released in 2007, maintains these editions and adds Remote Sound, Remote Printing and other new features. [cite web | author=Citrix Online | title= New GoToMyPC 6.0 Embraces Sound to Seamlessly Connect Customers’ Work and Home Digital Lives | publisher=Citrix, Santa Barbara, CA | year=Jan 16 2007 | url=http://www.citrix.com/English/NE/news/news.asp?newsID=163015 ] GoToMyPC allows remote access to a PC from an Internet-connected computer or wireless device running any of several operating systems. Software is installed and remote access is obtained by logging onto the GoToMyPC Web site. GoToMyPC features [cite web |title=GoToMyPC Personal Features |publisher=Citrix Online |year=2006 |url=http://www.citrix.com/English/NE/news/news.asp?newsID=23230] in all editions include:
* Encryption and authentication security provided by a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Web site with end-to-end 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption and the Secure remote password protocol.
* Data compression to decrease lag time between client and host PC
* 24-bit color when accessing a host PC supporting this display mode
* Drag-and-drop file transfer for moving files between computers
* Remote Printing, supporting any printer configured on a host computer
* Remote Sound for listening to sound on host computer
* Performance tuning, allowing users to adjust speed and screen appearance
* Multi- monitor support for a client PC
* PocketView wireless access to host PCs from a Windows Mobile, Pocket PC or Windows CE device
* Guest Invite, allowing a user to invite a second person to view or share control of a PC

Many competing products exist, including other Web-hosted services, and both commercial and free software. Some are listed below, under See also.

Alternatives to GoToMyPC

GoToMyPC is not the only product that offers remote desktop access. There were and are a number of competing products and technologies, among which some are free. Microsoft has built remote desktop support in Windows XP and Windows Vista. Competitors include VNC, BeAnywhere, PcAnywhere, LogMeIn, I'm InTouch, eBLVD, BeamYourScreen, PCMobilizr, and Netviewer, as well as WebEx (which was recently acquired by Cisco).

ee also

* Citrix XenApp
* Comparison of remote desktop software
* GoToMeeting
* NX technology
* Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
* Terminal Services
* Virtual Network Computing (VNC)

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.gotomypc.com GoToMyPC] Web site for software installation and computer access.