GRC (which stands for Gmail Remote Control) is a tiny application that enables Gmail users to remotely control their PC by sending an email to their Gmail account.
Through GRC, Gmail users can easily perform simple actions such as executing applications, opening web pages and shutting down the operating system. The only requirement is that the PC is on and connected to the Internet.
GRC is available only for Windows XP computers and does not require any installation; once you have downloaded it, you must only extract the file from the zipped folder and execute the GRC.exe program.
When the program is open, you will have to insert username and password of your Gmail account and click on "Sign in". Every 60 seconds, GRC will automatically check your email box to see whether new instructions have arrived through Gmail.
This little application is still unknown to many Gmail users; I myself was not aware of its existence and I must thank Robin Good for giving me the link to the site of GRC. Robin discovered this little application during the Rome BarCamp that took place few weeks ago, and this is certainly a demonstration of how enriching these social events can be in terms of knowledge sharing and personal growth.
I have taken some time to test GRC it on my computer and here I give you some instructions on how to use it.
To execute an application:
Let's assume you want to open your Windows Calculator: what you need to do is send an empty email to your Gmail account (the one that is logged into GRC) with the follow subject:
[open]c:\windows\system32\calc.exe[/open]
The path within the tags [open] and [/open], specifies which application will be executed.
To open a web page:
In order to open a web page, send an empty email with the follow subject:
[open]http://www.robingood.com[/open]
Once your computer will receive the message, your default browser will automatically open the page www.robingood.com
Shut down the PC:
To turn off your PC, send an empty email with the follow subject:
shutdown
GRC will shutdown the machine. (p.s.: GRC works only with Windows XP operating system)
Changing the settings
Users of GRC can change the tags for the shutdown command and for the path of your system. In the picture below you can see the default settings:
Important notice:
When executing GRC.exe for the first time, your operating system will display the following alert message "Component 'MSINET.OCX' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid". MSINET.OCX is the control used by RC for Gmail authentication and you can safely install it on your PC by following the procedure described below:
- Download msinet.ocx
- Copy msinet.ocx in "c:\windows\system32"
- Click on Start -> Run
- Insert: "regsvr32 msinet.ocx"
- Click on OK
System requirements
You can send emails with instructions from any computer: the only requirement is that the computer that receives instructions must run Windows XP and needs to be connected to the Internet.
Price
Download GRC for free.
Editor's comments
GRC is a tiny but effective application that needs no installation and allows Gmail users to remotely control their PC by sending instructions via email to their Gmail account. Users can launch applications, open web pages and also turn off their PC (as long as the computer that receives the instructions runs Windows XP).
Although it might look like a geek application, there are certainly some ways that also non technical users can take advantage of GRC. The first way that comes to my mind is the possibility to remotely shut down the operating system when burning a CD-ROM. Also, users can remotely help other people that have difficulties in launching applications by allowing their computers to automatically execute commands.
I am sure there are many other ways non geek users can enjoy GRC and I invite you to share your suggestions and ideas with me by posting them in the Comments section below.
Moreover, I have to say it is a great pleasure for us at Kolabora to discover these little gems forged by passionate developers and give them some exposure, whereas they seem to be still unknown to many internet users.
