Job Saver

Graphic: Courtesy of LogMeIn

Traveling for business can be brutal, and the last thing you need is to start any presentation abroad with a big hiccup, like suddenly finding out that you forgot to transfer the file from your workplace desktop to your laptop.

For the seasoned traveler, such a nightmare is unlikely to happen, but with LogMeIn it never will. LogMeIn is a Web-based tool that enables the user to remotely access a computer, Mac or PC, with any other high-speed Internet equipped machine. All you have to do is download and install the software on the computer you want accessible. Once installed, almost any Web browser can be used as a portal to that computer.

From there you can use programs, move icons and create folders as if you were sitting at your desk. The free version allows basic desktop viewing and access, but if you want to drag and drop files between machines, print remote files to a local printer or remotely listen to your not-pirated music collection, then get the pro version for about $70 a year. If you add LogMeIn Pro to more machines, say, your work computer, home desktop and laptop, you get a discount. Although if you want to transfer files using the free version, you can always e-mail them to the local computer. LogMeIn can also work on smartphones, iPhone included.

With two passwords, one for your LogMeIn account and one to access the remote computer, and 128- to 256-bit data encryption, security is ample. Additionally, the site uses SSL protocol encryption, the same one used for online credit-card purchases.

But the best security of all? Knowing your butt, and business, is saved if you’re prone to forgetting files.

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