Access Your Computer—Wherever You Are
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Author: John Bond
Sooner or later, a time will come when you find yourself wishing you had access to the files back at the office or to the photos on your home PC’s hard drive. Maybe you’re on vacation and a crisis at work needs your attention. How would you access the database on your office network from the airport terminal? What if you’re on a business trip and forgot to bring that PowerPoint presentation. How would you get that file loaded onto your laptop?
Whether it’s for work or for play, there are many reasons why having remote access to your computer is a good idea. If you’re traveling on business, drinking a coffee at Starbucks, or working by the pool, I’ll show you how easy it is to get in touch with your computer—even if it’s a thousand miles away.
A word to the wise
Before we get started, keep in mind that for a remote connection to your computer to work, both computers must be connected to the Internet. If the primary computer at home or at work connects to the Internet via a dial-up connection, your experience won’t be as reliable or as enjoyable.
For the remainder of this discussion, I will assume the computer you want to access is connected to the Internet by some form of high-speed connection, such as a DSL or cable modem.
One or both computers must be running the required software before a remote connection can be established.
Required software
There are two types of software packages you can use to remotely connect computers: browser-based and application-based.
Browser-based solutions are the most convenient, as they let you control a computer through an Internet browser window (e.g., Internet Explorer or Firefox). You must first install (host) software on the computer to which you want to connect. Then, if you’re at home and need to access the computer back at your office, it’s as easy as typing a special address into a Web browser window—within minutes, you’ll have full access to that remote computer.
Application-based software requires you to install software on both the remote computer and the computer you’re using to connect with. This type of solution works best when making connections with a laptop or a PC you own. (Installing software at an airport kiosk may not be an option.) The advantage of application-based software is that it provides a way to connect to other computers without having to go through a third-party provider, which could save you money.
The remote experience
Once the connection is made, using a remote computer offers the same experience as if you were sitting in front of it. You’ll see the same login screen, the same desktop icons, the same computer programs—and you’ll have access to every file on the computer’s hard drive and network. You can print to any printers that computer has access to. In fact, you can even print files across the Internet. For instance, if you were at your hotel’s business center, you could load an Excel file residing on your computer at home and print it through the hotel’s laser printer. How’s that for convenience!
Listed below are a few of the more popular remote access programs. Before you test-drive any of these solutions, keep in mind that you may already have remote access software. Windows XP and Windows Vista have a built-in Remote Desktop, which, as the name implies, can be used to connect to another computer remotely. This software is also available for Macs free of charge.
You may also be interested to know that there is a version of Remote Desktop called Terminal Services Client, which is available for devices running PocketPC software. Imagine connecting to your home computer over the Internet using nothing more than the Windows mobile device in your hand.
If you have any questions about remote desktop software, please feel free to get in touch. I’ve done all the research, so you don’t have to!
John Bond is a senior technologist in Technology/Development. He is available at x9108.
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