ProComm Plus versus PC AnyWhere?

[Dinosaur]

A computer illiterate frend wants to access a computer at a small business site from her home.

It is my understanding that both ProComm Pluss and PC Anywhere have capabilities for doing this.

I have not used PC AnyWhere for five or more years and did not use it much. I have only used ProComm Plus for FAX and Data Terminal capabilities.

Can anybody here give me some advice about which of these (if either) would be good for running a computer from a remote site? There is no need for concurrent access to data/applications by two or more people.

[Bumpus]

I use PC Anywhere quite a bit, mostly for servicing and maint. on our customer's systems. In order to do what you've asked (in another thread), PC Anywhere would have to be running and waiting all the time. One problem with that is leaving a door open to the internet even though you can create a login/password to access.

If you used PC Anywhere, a direct modem link might be better, and not use an internet connection.

As for Procomm Plus, I've never used it, but always thought it was a hyped-up version of Hyperterminal. Others may (will) know more about that.

There's my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

[Budfred]

There are a couple of other programs that will do this and at least one web service. Timbuktu and (I think, not sure about the name) VNC will do a similar job to PC Anywhere. The second one is available free for download. There is a web service I read about in PCWorld that allows you to remotely connect and control, but I don't remember the name of that either, you can probably find it on the PCWorld website...

WinXP also has a remote control option, but I don't know anything about how it works or the level of security...

[Rick]

I’ve used Both PcAnywhere and Procomm Plus.
The Procomm plus is now in the box and is no longer installed on any of my systems.

Like Bumpus I use PcAnywhere to access remote customers systems.
It will do what you need But will require someone to start it when needed
Or be running all the time

[Budfred]

In the other thread you have running about this same issue you gave more detail and, as I said there, the simplest solution would probably be to use a web storage option so that the data can be accessed at either site from anywhere. It would be secure and readily available. The remote control option is going after a fly with a shotgun when you can use a fly swatter...

[Rick]

I Just found and read the other post
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26786

Unless she intends to have 2 or more systems running the software on site
Spending the $$ for the network version is a Bit of a Waste

Unfortunately using a web storage would require a Web Connection for Both systems
How Much does she intend to spend on this ?
Or is she intending to expand to Multiple shops in the near future ?

You may also find that the network Version she intends to get has a Built in remote access for dialing up and or update
Not knowing what software she is dealing with makes all this guess work

[Dinosaur]

Thanx for the input. I have a bit better feeling for the various possibilities. I was thinking of ProComm Plus mainly because I know it can respond to a phone dialing in via a modem. My only experience with PC AnyWhere and similar applications involved remote systems attended by a user, but I suppose it will also answer the phone.

At least I am getting the feeling that a Dial Up network approach is not the way to go.

I posted in both forums because my questions seemed to fit both the OS and the Utilities categories.

Thanx again. The forums at this site are always helpful. I often get answers by doing a search instead of posting a query.

[classicsoftware]

I see you posted in both places, the answer is Symantec boght Procomm Plus. PP no longer has renmote control. It used to come with a progfam called Rapid Remote. That is no longer made and you will have to use pc-Anywhere 10.5 unless you have an older version of PP

[meju_john]

If your computer illetrate friend can browse the Internet, then she can access her remote computer using the web browser with We Don't Tolerate spam : http://www.wedonttoleratespam.com

[Whyzman]

Good grief...now they're dragging up year and a half old threads...