| Research Question:
Expertcity's GoToMyPC puts an exact replica of your home or office computer's contents on
any Web-connected computer worldwide. If you're 3,000 miles from home and desperately need
a file, email or other piece of key information that you left on your computer, it could
be a lifesaver. For others traveling to a location (hotel, friends' home, etc.) with
high-speed Internet access, it could even replace having to lug a laptop. |
|
| But does it work? |
|
| Methodology: For $19.95 a
month or $179 a year, you download a 1.4-megabyte program from www.gotomypc.com that lets
you access your home computer from another location (you can access multiple computers for
a higher fee). Currently, any Windows-based machine can be remotely accessed; Expertcity
plans to offer Linux and Macintosh versions of the software later. |
|
| After installing the host
software on my DSL-connected Windows home machine, I logged in to GoToMyPC from across
town, over a modem line and then over a DSL line, trying both Macintosh and Windows
laptops. With both computers, I opened and read files on my home computer's hard drive and
ran some basic programs. |
|
| Results: After giving
GoToMyPC a thorough run-through, I found that it performed as advertised. |
|
| Of course, having personal
information available through the Internet raises all sorts of security and privacy
concerns for conscientious travelers. However, access to the host computer through
GoToMyPC is dual-password protected, with all data transfers encrypted with a 128-bit key.
That makes it impossible to decipher unless someone has unlimited access to a
supercomputer (in which case, you probably have bigger problems). |
|
| Expertcity has obviously put
a lot of thought into security, with features such as a lock-out option that prevents
anyone from tampering with your host computer while you're away and the ability to operate
within a firewall, so hackers can't peer into your computer through its Internet
connection. |
|
| Users log in through the
GoToMyPC Web page, which then opens a separate window replicating the host computer's
desktop – complete with all applications, files and functions. Windows users download
a self-deleting plug-in for their Web browser (no need to worry about leaving any telltale
information on a cybercafe computer). This plug-in gives Windows-based computers access to
certain additional functions, including the ability to copy and print files. On
non-Windows machines, the host desktop is viewed through a Java application. |
|
| All in all, it took me only
about 10 minutes to download the software, install it on my home computer and log in with
another computer – a considerable improvement over other remote-access software. Of
course, programs such as LapLink and PCAnywhere don't charge monthly service fees, so
they're less expensive in the long run. |
|
| There are limitations
to the service, however. The home computer has to be continuously connected to the Web,
meaning only computers with DSL, cable or ISDN connections need apply – unless you
want to clog up a phone line with a constant Internet connection while you're away. (If
you're strictly dial-up, software that allows remote dial-up connections is the only
sensible option.) |
|
| Though my home computer has
a high-speed connection, things moved frustratingly slow when I used a dial-up modem to
connect to the GoToMyPC Web page. The upshot: If all you need to do is view or copy a
couple of documents, it will be a minor inconvenience. Otherwise, it will quickly become
intolerable. |
|
| Working from high-speed to
high-speed connection, however, will almost make you forget you're not in front of your
home computer – although it still won't be fast enough to run games or other
multimedia applications very well. |
|
| Conclusion: For anyone who
wants the security of knowing that a home computer is never truly out of reach, or for
those who travel light but like the idea of being able to check in with their PC while
they're away – and have the hardware at home to support it – GoToMyPC is the
easiest-to-use, most creative solution yet. |
McBride's Computer Services Voice Mail 877-671-2321
