Computer help service CrossLoop comes to the Mac

CrossLoop, a screen-sharing software service, has finally come to the Macintosh. Download its desktop application, log in, share your access code with a friend, and you can log in to see their computer and access it to help them fix problems. You can log in either between two Macs or between a Mac and a PC.

CrossLoop lets skilled people offer their skills for a fee, collecting it from users (who do have the right to get their money back if they’re not happy) and splitting the revenue. The Monterey, Calif.-based company competes with other computer help services, including Geek Squad and Support.com.

For people switching over from PC to Macs, like VentureBeat editor Matt Marshall, CrossLoop also includes a way to share files — easier than using a disk drive or separate file-sharing service.

The company launched in late 2006, and cofounder Mrinal Desai says it has logged a total of five million help sessions, for 100 million help minutes, and seen 328 percent growth in 2008. None of those numbers are quite as specific as, say, how much revenue the company is bringing in. But one can assume this is not a bad business to be in considering the recession. Many consumers are holding off on new computer purchases to save money and instead are looking for help extending the life of existing machines through software upgrades, repairs and hardware extensions.