Opinions Please

[etownguy]

I am considering in moving my desktop to a smaller room, and just use my notebook to remotely access the applications that I need to use on my desktop.

Not sure if this would be an efficient way of doing things.

Suggestions? Opinions?

Thanks

[mbossman2]

what kind of applications are you using?

[etownguy]

MS Office suite, Photoshop, Dreamweaver for the most part.

[mbossman2]

Office is not normally an application that can be run across the network, the application has to be installed locally to be used. I am not sure of the other two.

[alfie2]

Originally Posted by etownguy MS Office suite, Photoshop, Dreamweaver for the most part.

if you are running them over a NETWORK, then they might not work properly or not at all.
unless an application is specifically written for running on a network, they dont work___make sure your applications are not "home version" or "workstation version", for an application to work on a network, it should a "server version" or "workgroup/entreprise version".

[LeftyAce]

If both are running XP, you can use the remote desktop connection tool to control the Desktop from your laptop. All the applications and data will stay on the desktop. (Or do it the other way 'round, but I'm assuming the desktop is the better machine).

The tool is in the start menu under "Accessories" => "Communication"

[alfie2]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce If both are running XP, you can use the remote desktop connection tool to control the Desktop from your laptop. All the applications and data will stay on the desktop. (Or do it the other way 'round, but I'm assuming the desktop is the better machine). The tool is in the start menu under "Accessories" => "Communication"

to use "Remote Desktop" the server must be on a "professional version of XP" machine[ meaning the desktop must be Xp pro and must setup an user account and so on].

[LeftyAce]

Aha. If that means this won't work, take a look at vnc for remoting in to the other machine.

[mbossman2]

unless there is some compelling reason, why not just install the applications you need on your laptop and save the files to your desktop pc?

[mairving]

Remote desktop is okay to work with over a network but as has been mentioned it isn't available on XP home. VNC would not work at all. It tends to have slow refresh rates and it would be next to impossible to use with Adobe apps.

[thefultonhow]

I wouldn't recommend Remote Desktop with Photoshop either.

[etownguy]

Hi All!

I really appreciate the feedback, and to answer some of your Qs:

The laptop has XP home, and the desktop has XP Pro, I was able to work on office documents while out of town and accessing the desktop remotely. Now, I know Adobe will not work properly

I haven't installed the Adobe programs on the notebook because of disk usage, the laptop has a 80GB HD and even though I have about 60GB free I don't want to save large graphic files that will end up taking too much disk space.

Thanks again!

[glc]

Just save the files to the desktop across the network.

[etownguy]

Thanks glc! that is definitely a better alternative.