Over the past few weeks I've added a new piece of software to my list of tools that has truly added to a more efficient workflow in a way not seen since I first moived over to Firefox. Its for managing computers remotely but in a graphical environment unlike the command line terminal that I've been getting used to when accessing remote Linux boxes. Its called TIGHT VNC and its open source :) There are other derivatives but this is the one Mehall recommended, and I always take note of recommendations !!! :)
Basically it opens a window on my machine showing the desktop of another, I have complete control of the mouse, keyboard and screen and have removed these from SAM our radio server, which only gets accessed remotely now. This has enabled Marlow to run some diagnostics and allows me maintain a few server apps without leaving my desk, learn new terminal comands etc.
It also saves me a few bob in electricity bills. And I was finally able to decommission a really annoying monitor.
Last night Bendy installed TIGHTVNC server a tiny program on a new apache server he was building with Windows XP. I installed Tight VNC viewer on my machine. Once he gave me the password and his IP address I was able to hook up to his machine instantly.
I installed php 5, wrote a phpinfo text file on his desktop, renamed it to a .php file and copied it to his htdocs folder - to test the php installation. All as if it were on my machine, with Bendy sitting back watching the mouse move across his screen clicking the various buttons etc.
Quite a buzz.
I don't know if what I am thinking is ridiculus or obvious or obviously rediculus. Bit from the moment I saw it I thought.
WHAT IF I HAD ACCESS TO VARIOUS GCC MEMBERS COMPUTERS?.
What kind of services could I provide; installing plugins in reaper, tweaking, experimenting, taking people through a step by step tutorial on ANYTHING? Sort out an email account. Basically anything that a machine can do once it is connected to the net.
Obviously router problems, etc would still require housecalls, which I have less and less time to do, but I know a few people interested in that area.
Of course the end user still has the control when and if to let me in but if you are the nervous type, then this would not be for you.
Please let me know what you think
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