T
Tom Geer
I sure hope that this is the correct forum for this question.
I currently have a machine running WinXP Pro in a SOHO environment.
I would like to be able to access this machine from another room in the house.
At first I considered buying a low-end laptop and using a wireless network.
This would be my ultimate choice because of the portability and the fact that I
could actually lie in bed and surf, connect to my work server, etc.
The idea was that the laptop would need minimal requirements as I would use
something like PCAnywhere and let the desktop upstairs do all the processing.
Unfortunately I am on a VERY tight budget and have been unsuccessful in getting
a laptop on eBay for several weeks now. My only prerequisite was that it have a
fairly large display and be capable of at least 1024x768 resolution (for working
on large spreadsheet and the like). As luck would have it, it seems that
laptops with screens larger than 13.1" are also more powerful than
I can afford PLUS I have to dish out for the hardware to do the wireless connection.
I have now all but given up the idea of a laptop and I'm willing to sacrifice
portability for low cost. I was thinking of using some kind of dumb terminal
and making a wired connection. I already have a spare 17" Trinitron monitor.
The problem is this: Although I have over 20 years of computer experience, I
know NOTHING about networking. Some have told me that WinXP will not act as a
server for a dumb terminal. I DO NOT want to change the operating system on my
desktop.
I'm looking for an innovative and VERY cheap solution and I'm open to all
suggestions except using a series of mirrors and a long keyboard cable.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Tom Geer
To reply via email, remove "NOSPAM" from my email addy.
I currently have a machine running WinXP Pro in a SOHO environment.
I would like to be able to access this machine from another room in the house.
At first I considered buying a low-end laptop and using a wireless network.
This would be my ultimate choice because of the portability and the fact that I
could actually lie in bed and surf, connect to my work server, etc.
The idea was that the laptop would need minimal requirements as I would use
something like PCAnywhere and let the desktop upstairs do all the processing.
Unfortunately I am on a VERY tight budget and have been unsuccessful in getting
a laptop on eBay for several weeks now. My only prerequisite was that it have a
fairly large display and be capable of at least 1024x768 resolution (for working
on large spreadsheet and the like). As luck would have it, it seems that
laptops with screens larger than 13.1" are also more powerful than
I can afford PLUS I have to dish out for the hardware to do the wireless connection.
I have now all but given up the idea of a laptop and I'm willing to sacrifice
portability for low cost. I was thinking of using some kind of dumb terminal
and making a wired connection. I already have a spare 17" Trinitron monitor.
The problem is this: Although I have over 20 years of computer experience, I
know NOTHING about networking. Some have told me that WinXP will not act as a
server for a dumb terminal. I DO NOT want to change the operating system on my
desktop.
I'm looking for an innovative and VERY cheap solution and I'm open to all
suggestions except using a series of mirrors and a long keyboard cable.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Tom Geer
To reply via email, remove "NOSPAM" from my email addy.