Is there a something that can...

[Ding Dang Doo]

... allow me to see/ use my computer at work, while I'm on holiday???
I know there are programs like 'goto myPC', as I've used this system before, and it worked well. But what don't know about is the hardware needed to access this. I don't want to be carting a laptop around, but if this is the only viable option, then so be it. I was wondering about a PDA or something like that? Would I be able to access the web, then into my work computer through this (sorry, I've always steered away from things like this, as I know very little about them), via a mobile connection? It may be expensive, but it could be the difference between winning and loosing orders while I'm away.

I know, I know, I'm supposed to be on holiday, but the break was planned before I started up my own business, and well, not going away, just 'isn't' an option!

Your help, suggestions etc, as usual welcomed.

Oh, I'm going to France (hopefully the warm south!) if that makes any difference.

Pete

[lloydwatkin]

Is it just email you need access to? Or the entire laptop software?

If you have XP Pro you can set up remote desktop. With my PDA phone I can login to it over GPRS. It's slow and ugly but it works.

[CotoChris]

I'm not PC minded so can't help you much. I have a sistem that was installed for me which with my laptop I can connect to the server back inthe office. It's done via the net but to be honest I'm not sure how it really works, sure someone will come and help.
For me it's invaluable. Like you I have my iown business and can not escape totally. I'm going away for two weeks diving in the Azores. I'm taking the laptop and by accesing the server I can do much work including invoicing etch..

[principia]

vnc over ssh is nice, fast and secure.

[neilh]

Originally Posted by lloydwatkin

Is it just email you need access to? Or the entire laptop software?

Wot he said - a lot depends on exactly what you need access to whilst away.

[Ding Dang Doo]

Originally Posted by principia

vnc over ssh is nice, fast and secure.

Eh?????

Originally Posted by neilh

Wot he said - a lot depends on exactly what you need access to whilst away.

Er, not just emails unfortunately, otherwise I may have been inclined to go down the Blackberry route... I really need to be able to access my Estimating package and maybe Invoicing. I've been trying to get my workshop manager to be able to do this, but well, 1 - he's too busy being a workshop manager and 2. he can operate a computer (sloooooowly), but well, it goes back to point 1! There's more than enough work for me to do on a day to day basis, but not enough for me to employ someone else in the office, plus, it's another wage!

HTH

Pete

[RonProwse]

in a nut shell YES you can access your PC from anywhere assuming yourn home pc is set up for and has a internet connection.

I have access to my home pc, I have a No-IP - Dynamic DNS, Static DNS for Your Dynamic IP address which allows the ipaddress to be registered to a domain name e.g. i dont have to remember the IP address. the software i use is Remote Desktop, its built into windows XP and you can access your pc by running the RD prog on another pc put in your address and away it goes.


There is a lot more to set up if you have a NAT router on the inside of your network which may be a problem if your noyt up to speed on the basic router networking, but you can find this info on the net if you look.

Hope this helps.

Ron

[Ding Dang Doo]

Thanks Ron, but it's the bit of kit needed to do the accessing I'm on about... and how this does it... (I'm not sure if where I'm staying will have internet access, so was wondering about a mobile phone connection to t'interent...

PDA, laptop, notepad, something really tekkie that isn't a fortune?

Heeeeeellllllpppp!

Pete

[lloydwatkin]

Most modern phones will act as a data modem (my last 3 have).

I guess there's a few real options:
1. Find an internet cafe nearby and remote desktop in
2. PDA linked to phone (probably via bluetooth)
3. PDA phone (I have t-mobile MDA compact III, yummy!)
4. Laptop linked to phone (via cable or bluetooth)
5. Laptop with a data card (into which you put your sim card)

If you have a laptop already, I'd suggest taking that, get a local pay as you go sim card (to save you on internet costs) and plop that in your mobile. A PDA screen is really a bit fiddly to run remote desktop sensibly (i.e. it gets damn annoying) although I suppose it depends on how complicated your task and how many times you think you'll need to do it.

If you don't have a laptop already just get some old thing off ebay that's tiny and has usb ports. Get yourself a bluetooth adaptor if you need one, 'borrow' a copy of XP for it and away you go

Lloyd

PS As far as my research into the subject has suggested blackberry is no good unless you have your own mail server to 'push' the email to you, even then you need an open connection that pings every 2-90 minutes (depending on setup) that could get very expensive! Better off having an email app on your phone and manually checking now and again.

[Ding Dang Doo]

Lloyd, this is the sort of thing I'm after ... is there something between a pda and a laptop then... what about these note books, some of those are quite small I think...

or what about something like this?

eBay.co.uk - pda, pda phone, sat nav, xda items at low prices


Pete