Laptop for your handbag.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-110867 3/Next-launches-99-laptop-fits-handbag.html

However, the netbook will be able to tap into your home or work computer remotely, accessing all of its documents and storage. By controlling your home or work PC remotely over the internet, the netbook should be able to compete with larger, more powerful laptops.

How will this work?

[Ethel]

Exactly the same way as another pc connected to the internet - remote access.

Your home pc has to be switched on, of course, and your netbook has to be connected to the internet in the usual way

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?article ID=1441

I very often access other peoples pcs remotely - it doesn't cost anything and is a handy way of problem solving

[anotheoldgit]

Very interesting Ethel, what method do you use?

Do you have to buy some special software?

I very often access other peoples pcs remotely - it doesn't cost anything and is a handy way of problem solving

Wow! that sounds rather frightening, with their permisson of course?

[Ethel]

No, I don't use special software, it is part of XP and Vista.

The person who needs assistance invites me - I get a little pop up asking me to accept or decline.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-us /help/398b5eda-aa7f-4078-94c5-1519b697bfa01033 .mspx

I only do it with people I know and trust very well - I do not want to geve anybody the opportunity of accusing me of anything underhand

[Ethel]

And more info about remote access for your own pc:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsXp/using/mobil ity/getstarted/Remoteintro.mspx

You can use software packages if you really want to:
https://secure.logmein.com/home.asp?lang=en

That is just an example - I have used it and I know of that particular one

[Ethel]

Sorry, I haven't used it, I mean. The link doesn't work but that one is called LogMeIn - you can google it. There are lots of others

[fo3nix]

This poses all sorts of issues, however.

Allowing access to your home PCs makes it that much easier for other stuff to get in.

Assuming this is made unlikely through firewall or such, you still have the issue that the device itself can access it. If it gets stolen while the password is unlocked, then anyone can access your information.

So really it's a marketing ploy. 4GB SD cards (readily available, cheap, and many netbooks come with equivalent size anyway), is enough for documents and stuff you may want to do on a laptop.

If you need access to larger files from home, chances are that they'll require a bit too much heavy duty lifting for this device to handle.