Features

It seems like a new PC remoting software launches weekly especially since more workers take their work home, on trips, to the local coffee shop, just about anywhere. Instead of having to copy all of your files and taking them with you, you sign up for PC remoting or buy software and just access your main computer with all the files. Definitely easier as I’ve learned by remoting my laptop to my desktop when I want to be in other parts of my house.

Avvenu isn’t quite like most PC remote applications as you can’t run programs or view your desktop. However, you gain access to your files. This is not a limitation, but rather another option of accessing your PC and limiting what can be accessed. If having access to your files is enough, then Avvenu is a good option because you don’t want to open up other areas when it is not necessary.

Other people can access your files only if you send them an invitation. The invitation has a time limit based on what you assign. You can also select the folder to share so they only have access to that folder. You have seven time choices for sharing, which starts at one day and can go as long as one year.

The “Browse Computers” tab allows you to select the computer to which to connect. You can connect more than one PC to Avvenu, but the selected PC needs to have an always on connection to the Internet. However, it does not mean it must ALWAYS be connected to Avvenu. To turn off the connection, right-click on the Avvenu icon in the system tray and select Stop. To start it, select Start.

When selecting a computer to add to Avvenu, it will run a little application. When you connect to that computer from another one, no download is involved. Just log in and go. Your family and friends do not need a logon ID to access your files. Send the invitation and they can go straight to your files to “ooh” and “ahh” over your photos or rock to your music. On Browse Computers, select the computer to connect to and then you’re in. The folders can be viewed as thumbnails or in detail. This is the only part I am not crazy about. I find the file manager tedious.

You can stop sharing with anyone at anytime. Currently, the host computer must be a Windows-based computer and you can even share your files with someone on a Mac. Avvenu says it will offer Mac-based sharing in the future. The FAQ is slim pickings and it will take a little experimenting to get it figured out, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it.

Currently, Avvenu is free as it’s in beta trial. No pricing has been set.