tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10743943.post6672947922198315077..comments2023-04-02T00:10:28.012+13:00Comments on Smooth Sailing: Getting out of the officeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04133048815467794104noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10743943.post-21089405497611012832010-09-09T11:41:44.497+12:002010-09-09T11:41:44.497+12:00These are not so much web based tool as windows ba...These are not so much web based tool as windows based tools I use via the web. But 3 products that allow me to work remotely are:<br /><br />1) VPN (virtual private network). Our office server runs as a VPN server this means that I can connect from anywhere is the world and securely access spiral files as if I were plugged in to the office network but a little slower (due to everything going via the internet).<br /><br />2) Sync Toy. A free tool from Microsoft that lets you set up folder sets to synchronise. I use this over the VPN to sync a local copy of each project I am working on with the spiral office server before and after working on it. <br /><br />For me the combo of VPN and Sync Toy lets me work from home as efficiently as I do in the office. The first time a Sync is run on a folder it can be slow, but after that because only changes are transferred there isn’t much of a wait and because you are working on a local copy there is no lag while working.<br /><br />3) Remote desktop. Lets you take control of a computer remotely. The server application (the one you need on the computer being controlled) comes standard in all professional versions of windows. The client application (the one you need on the computer taking control) comes with all windows. I use this to manage 2 servers that I have never even seen and others use it to access their workstations from home.<br /><br />Then of course there are the communication and project management tools particularly Skype, Email and Basecamp mentioned in Audrey’s post that allow us to function as a team without always being in the same location.<br /><br />CainCain Harlandhttp://www.spiral.co.nznoreply@blogger.com