iChat vs. LogMeIn:

* iChat provides faster and more stable screen-sharing
~ this is because it’s a native Mac app
~ LogMeIn uses a Java-based browser app which is sluggish

* iChat allows for easier communication during screen-sharing
~ with iChat, during screen-share both parties can communicate via chat as you work to a resolution.
~ with logmein, you are usually required to use the phone. technically, you could open up a notepad or something to communicate between both parties but that’s just a workaround

* LogMeIn allows for iPhone control through LogMeIn Ignition
~ there is no iPhone control through iChat (Apple, this would rock. you listening?)

* LogMeIn allows for cross-platform control while iChat only allows screen-sharing between Macs.
~ Skype would work in this case

* LogMeIn allows for control of another Mac or PC without the host user needing to be present. iChat requires authorization before screen-share can commence. Technically, if you want to completely take it out of the hands of your folks, you can use a script activated via Twitter or the Mail.app for authorization. Sorry I don’t have an exact link. But I’ve seen this done before…

e-mail me @ pskennedySOS@gmail.com if you have any more questions.

Now that I have your attention, this is the only thing that you need to do to set it up on your parents’ mac (Tiger, Leopard and SL):

1. System Preferences->Sharing->Check off Screen Sharing and WRITE DOWN THE ADDRESS (it should be something like ‘vnc://somename/’ This can also be done using their IP address. It is advisable to install a VNC password under Advanced as well. (under Tiger, if I remember correctly, you have to activate Remote Management or Login for Screen Sharing to work)

2. On your mac (Leopard or SL; doesn’t work on Tiger) go to Finder, press Apple-Shift-G, and type in /System/Library/CoreServices/
There you will find ‘Screen Sharing.app’. Make an alias to it on your dock by dragging the app into your dock and now you have it easily accessible when you need to remotely connect to your folks computer.

3. Connect to your folks mac: Start ScreenSharing app -> type in ur folks’ IP address

ALTERNATIVE:
After activating screen sharing on the remote mac, in Finder press Apple-K. Here just type in ‘vnc://IPadress’. This is equivalent to using the ScreenSharing app and much faster.

Note that a Tiger can be a remote system but never a host using screen sharing.

The advantage of this approach over the author’s: No need for gmail, ichat, or some buddy creation, which ur folks may not understand or want to do anyway. Disadvantage, you have constant option to remotely manage ur folks’ mac, which they might not appreciate as you could snoop around.

Reason enough to love this article =]:

One other option for those toting iPhones/iPod Touches is to use an app called RemoteTap. Works similar to the free MochaVNC, but I find that app stuggles on the 1920×1200 resolution of the iMac. RemoteTap (US$5) only displays the bitmap part of where you’re looking at, so the resolution is irrelevant. Plus, it can remotely wake up your iMac (I think this may be dependent on a) using an AEBS or TC, and b) your mac running Snow Leopard, as I recall an update allowing wireless LAN wakeup calls). Lastly, RemoteTap works just fine over wifi connection from my office to my home as long as you run a DynDNS.org plugin (useful for those with dynamic IPs). It’s abit harder to control via iPhone, obviously due to screen size, but for viewing what my wife’s doing wrong and guiding her via the work phone, its a godsend!