The first is called Yumga. Forget the paid services; Yugma works great and is free. I’ve been using it now for several months and have now become an affiliate to help spread the word. In Yugma’s own words:

Yugma is a free web collaboration service that enables people to instantly connect over the internet to communicate and share content and ideas using any application or software. Whether you using a Windows, Mac or Linux computer, you can connect on-demand and real-time with co-workers, clients, friends and family — regardless of whether they are across the city, nation or even the globe.

Popular uses include hosting study groups or tutoring sessions, hosting virtual clubs or social events, presenting proposals or creative work, product demonstrations, conducting training, customer service, team reviews, remote support and troubleshooting, and collaboration by artists, writers, and design professionals.

The second great new free app is call LogMeIn. LogMeIn has been around for a while but I just started using it when I travel. Rather than worry if I transfered my latest design files to my laptop when I travel, I know that with LogMeIn I can access all my computers at home from anywhere, for free! Sure, some versions of Windows have this kind of functionality built in, but LogMeIn makes it plain-Jane easy to use. There are many upgraded paid products from LogMeIn, but the free product works quite well for me. Here’s a snippet from them:

ogMeIn, Inc. (formerly 3am Labs, Inc.) offers a suite of remote access and support solutions that provide instant, secure connections between remote PCs over the web. Powered by the LogMeIn Gateway, the service has applications for desktop remote control, data backup, file sharing, remote system administration, and on-demand customer support.

LogMeIn offers the industry’s fastest, easiest remote access and support solutions – and has been recognized with eight Editors’ Choice Awards and “Best of the Year” honors.