Teamviewer shift to Subscription Sucks!

[CLC]

I have to pay extra to use TV through my rmm instead of the free mspanywhere, but it's worth it to be honest. There are no TV alternatives out there, they are simply the best at what they do in my opinion. Not to mention you get unlimited sessions and connections. I'll keep paying my monthly fees and focus on adding more paying customers instead of trying to find alternatives.

 

[Choppie]

I bought a license when TV9 was the current one. Then about 2 weeks later 10 came out. I called and tried to get grandfathered in to the new version and I got a pretty stiff 'NO'. So, I am sitting at TV9 and a lot of my clients had installed 12. Kinda makes it frustrating alright. I am looking around a bit for something else. I cannot believe how expensive it has become.

I really have no plans on upgrading either. Ill figure something out but 600+ a year is totally insane! Evidently they only want the likes of IBM for clients.

I know this is an old post, its still relevant...
I bought TV premium v5, I think it was about 1,200 bucks. Then the newer versions just kept rolling out one after the other, pestering me via email to buy them! An ethical company would give you upgrades free for about 1 year, THEN move to the next upper level version number. I started having major issues with my computer list, i guess thats what its called. I had over 300 clients' computers on the list with IMPORTANT notes under each regarding their computer information and notes from work I have done. The list started coming up blank under my LINUX versions of tv5. I complained and got an email conversation going with one of their tech support guys over the course of 2 months--they finally upgraded me to TV Premium v6 to solve the problem at no charge. I'm still using TV6 and I'm not going any further! Seriously, when I start to feel like one of those chickens in a cage in the county fair, ringing the bell for a piece of pop-corn....at that point--I'm out! That's exactly what it turned into. My solution was to add the tv6 files on my web server and link to them via my downloads section, all v6 that I could find, windows, the 4 versions of LINUX and the mac versions, all up there for download. When I work on a clients box, I'll put a folder on their desktop with some web shortcuts, one of them is to my downloads page. It's a pain to walk them through removing tv from their pc if they have upgraded but any time I install tv6 for the first time, i password protect it and disable the updates..... So far this has been working... I see someone has mentioned Simple-Help, I'm going to check that out right now... very interested in self hosted programs/apps. Does anyone have any advice for me on Simple-Help should I go that route....

thanks all, awesome forum as always!

Choppie

 

[Diggs]

The only confusion I had was moving from the demo version to self-hosted. I was expecting a "server" app but the server side runs as a service on what ever machine you choose. You control it with the technicians app but with admin privileges. Anyne else in your organization just uses the technicians app. Personally - I think performance is better on my equipment than their demo. I have not run their resident modules on client machines. Remember you will probably have to port forward to the machine running the service. I run it on a tiny separate isolated subnet.

 

[Choppie]

The only confusion I had was moving from the demo version to self-hosted. I was expecting a "server" app but the server side runs as a service on what ever machine you choose. You control it with the technicians app but with admin privileges. Anyne else in your organization just uses the technicians app. Personally - I think performance is better on my equipment than their demo. I have not run their resident modules on client machines. Remember you will probably have to port forward to the machine running the service. I run it on a tiny separate isolated subnet.

OH, I'm confused a bit more, I was intending on installing it in my domain, and running it off my website on my web hosting service...

 

[Diggs]

OH, I'm confused a bit more, I was intending on installing it in my domain, and running it off my website on my web hosting service...

It's just a little piece of javascript on your website that points them to your server IP for a tiny applet to download and take over. Your branding is on the link and app. I'm not sure how it works if you can't control the services on the machine. The link on my Godaddy website points to my work IP and a specific port which is forwarded internally to an isolated subnet.

 

[Choppie]

It's just a little piece of javascript on your website that points them to your server IP for a tiny applet to download and take over. Your branding is on the link and app. I'm not sure how it works if you can't control the services on the machine.

I see, I will have to learn how to do this, I'm sure TV will one day stop working, and attempt to force me to upgrade...

 

[Diggs]

Their support section is pretty good. I've never needed live help. This is the little snippet that goes on your/my web site.

<script type="text/javascript" showappname="no" imageurl="/branding/applet_splash.png"
configuration="online*,offline,applet" src="http://your_IP_Address/customer/embed.js"
id="jwEmbed">
</script></p>

Like I said, A bit confusing at first. (Steep but very short learning curve.) Takes minimal hardware to run.

 

[Choppie]

Their support section is pretty good. I've never needed live help. This is the little snippet that goes on your/my web site.

<script type="text/javascript" showappname="no" imageurl="/branding/applet_splash.png"
configuration="online*,offline,applet" src="http://your_IP_Address/customer/embed.js"
id="jwEmbed">
</script></p>

Like I said, A bit confusing at first. (Steep but very short learning curve.) Takes minimal hardware to run.

You've definitely got me interested in this, browsing over the help section on their site, they mention ubuntu, which is Debian based, can I use any current version of Debian, or does ubuntu distro come with the server packages already in stalled?

 

[Diggs]

I run it on a Windows machine that I already have running (security cams). I don't know if anyone here runs it on Linux or not but it would make no difference. The scripting and performance would be the same I would think. I'm sure most Debian based distros wouldn't have a problem easily running it.

 

[Choppie]

I run it on a Windows machine that I already have running (security cams). I don't know if anyone here runs it on Linux or not but it would make no difference. The scripting and performance would be the same I would think. I'm sure most Debian based distros wouldn't have a problem easily running it.

So this is not installed on a webserver, only the link is placed in an html file that points to a computer running on your home network? Then a port forward is done through your router?

 

[Diggs]

So this is not installed on a webserver, only the link is placed in an html file that points to a computer running on your home network? Then a port forward is done through your router?

Correct! Since I don't run any resident clients at the moment, I tend to bring the service up and down as needed on a machine in my office.

 

[Choppie]

Correct! Since I don't run any resident clients at the moment, I tend to bring the service up and down as needed on a machine in my office.

wow, nice. So I'm wondering if this can run on something like a
Raspberry Pi 3
and just leave it up and running somewhere...with a small SSD as the system drive.

 

[NJW]

So I'm wondering if this can run on something like a Raspberry Pi 3 and just leave it up and running somewhere ...

(I tested Simple Help in November 2017 – some aspects may have changed since.)

You couldn't when I tried Simple Help. Remote connection to a RPi is supported, but not running the server.

The SH server software is Java; if you want to use Let's Encrypt for the TLS cert, it needs exclusive access to port 80 to register (port 443 or port 80 to renew the cert).

For testing, or for low density use, you can run SH on a workstation and stop/start the service as required (thanks, @Diggs ) with launchers on the panel in Debian xfce, in my case – SH comes up in a couple of seconds. Definitely give SH a try.

 

[Choppie]

Just putting this out there:
The very very first software (other than the OS, which was DOS 5.X something at the time with Win 3.X) that I installed into my computer was an answering machine service bundled with FAX software which came with some US Robotics modems and ZOOM modems I bought in (the late 80s). I have to tell you, that software ran flawlessly from the day I installed it. It was free with the modem! I had a few condos in Key West, and about 15 roommates. I was able to set up as many mail boxes as I wanted using a 4 digit code, the roommate called the house phone, punched in their code and was in their voice mail box, listening to voice messages, deleting them, what ever. I converted my life into a small rental business and was the only one I knew that had a fax machine, a computer, and then came along QUICKEN for DOS which used a service called Bill Pay. Right from the command line, I was drawing money from bank accounts that the roomates setup JUST FOR PAYING RENT, and making deposits into my checking account.....all automated using software I bought for less than 30 bucks! This SAAS greed has only started going main stream in the last few years--how were these company's surviving for the last THIRTY YEARS selling a product rather then renting it? Adobe, Norton, Microsoft, Coral, Oracle, Ericsson, Nintendo, Activision, Electronic Arts,Audodesk, Sage, (not to mention ALL the gaming platforms and all the games!) Epic Meggagames in the early 90s put out Jill of the Jungle for DOS, and it freaking ROCKED back then and I think even today wound be an awesome little game to play! They are not renting software and their website is still up and running...I just checked.....

Someone SPLAIN ME how Microsoft or Adobe or Oracle became multi BILLION DOLLAR company's without having to RENT SOFTWARE prior to a few years ago.

I have some idea as to a component that may contribute to their constant need to REVISIT the code, and thats to REPAIR IT to make it work properly after having dumped it out to the 2 BILLION strong guinea-pig-test-bench (you and me), leaving us struggling to use broken, rushed code rather than simply use our computers as tools to do work, and not fight with the software.

My point is, everyone is forgetting the fact that MANY software company's have have survived 3 decades and became billion dollar company's without having to RENT software.

 

[Choppie]

(I tested Simple Help in November 2017 – some aspects may have changed since.)

You couldn't when I tried Simple Help. Remote connection to a RPi is supported, but not running the server.

The SH server software is Java; if you want to use Let's Encrypt for the TLS cert, it needs exclusive access to port 80 to register (port 443 or port 80 to renew the cert).

For testing, or for low density use, you can run SH on a workstation and stop/start the service as required (thanks, @Diggs ) with launchers on the panel in Debian xfce, in my case – SH comes up in a couple of seconds. Definitely give SH a try.

Yes, all this sounds really good! I like things simple that just work, I don't need tons of features, just need to remote in to a client and clean up a mess that a grandkid did to mom's computer (most times).

Is there options for setting up remembered computers, like TV? Can I save all the clients on a list some how? I'll have to try this out when I have a free weekend...

 

[NJW]

Is there options for setting up remembered computers, like TV? Can I save all the clients on a list some how?

Yes and yes. It's proper, professional-quality software with responsive support backing. The only thing it lacks, imo, is community support – a forum would have been very useful for getting started and for comparing notes with other users instead of wasting time trying to find solutions to problems that weren't my fault.

The showstopper for me was (seriously) unreliable support for Linux clients with different keyboard layouts to my own, but the SH changelog shows some improvements in that area. I'm waiting for a window of opportunity to ask for another trial licence to see if my issues have gone, in which case I'll be migrating from Teamviewer (just to bring the thread back on topic ).

 

[Choppie]

Sorry, but that reasoning is just BS. Software companies have gotten along just fine letting people buy the software and then pay to upgrade when they CHOOSE to. The SaaS model is nothing but the result of GREED. Not every piece of software needs to be updated all the time. And the software company is able to provide updates for a specified period of time before they stop supporting a product because they were PAID by the original purchase. Should they support it forever? Of course not! It's totally unreasonable to expect that. But software updates function EXACTLY like a warranty you get when you buy a physical product. The warranty expires, but you can CHOOSE when you want to buy a new product. SaaS is like a company FORCING you to buy a new product as soon as the warranty is up, and that is TOTAL BS!

Team Viewer 11 will probably still work fine for the next 10 years. Is it going to support the latest technologies? Of course not, and I shouldn't expect it to. But I can use it for the next 10 years without problems so long as I'm willing to live with its limitations. Just like I can live with my 10 year old washing machine despite the fact that it doesn't link up with my smartphone. If I want that feature, I can CHOOSE to buy a new washing machine. But I don't HAVE to because it still functions fine. And that's what these companies absolutely HATE!

QUESTION?
How were software company's making MILLIONS and MILLIONS for decade after decade, starting in the mid 90s......and NOW, for some odd reason they can no longer do that....... I call BS on that as well.... I call it Greed!

 

[Choppie]

Greed has nothing to do with it. Paying off Venture Capitalists does. TeamViewer, for example, was founded in 2005 and then sold to GFI (which at the time was 100% owned by VC companies) in 2011 only to be sold again,along with a lot of other GFI acquisitions, in 2014 to VC holding company Permira who is said to be soliciting bids to sell it again. The change in billing can't be a coincidence.

I say its more of a change in ethics, just 2 cents.

 

[RTZ]

Where do I start? I started with Teamviewer 7 five years ago, and have upgraded to each new release through version 11, which is what I'm currently on. I loved Teamviewer, it was the foundation of my MSP business, and use it daily to support 120 active contract clients, and 3 times that number for as-needed pay-as-you-go clients. Even if the new release "features" became less and less significant. Upgrade to get a new button on the console---really Teamviewer? But I did upgrade, year after year, at a cost of roughly $500 for each upgrade. I volunteered to upgrade to stay on the current release.

We use pulseway dot com RMM (about 15 bucks per year per client) for monitoring and endpoint deployment. You can also use a desktop app to click onto a client PC and start a remote session. They charge extra for simultinus remote logins but we have never needed to as we are a smaller enterprise.

RTZ...

 

[Your PCMD]

We use pulseway dot com RMM (about 15 bucks per year per client) for monitoring and endpoint deployment. You can also use a desktop app to click onto a client PC and start a remote session. They charge extra for simultinus remote logins but we have never needed to as we are a smaller enterprise.

RTZ...

I've been using Pulseway for quite some time now. I did try their remote system and found it very basic and lacking. I was told however that they are working on a new remote system that would be more intuitive with a lot more features, though, no ETA on when that will occur so we will see. Right now, I am happy with AnyDesk.