4 Ways to remotely access your files/PC

5. Dropbox/Box.net
Using these online storage services gives you an easy and universal method for accessing your files absolutely anywhere. Both sport online access to your files from any browser, both have desktop and mobile (iPhone particularly) clients, meaning you shouldn't have any comparability issues. The concept is simple. On your local computer, simply drop your files into a 'folder' and they go straight to the cloud, where you can work on them without getting anything out of sync or in the wrong spot. In the case of Dropbox, you can move your folder wherever you want and it acts just like a normal folder. For the more business-oriented Box.net system, it give you a nice WebDAV address that you can map as a network drive. Both services are geared up for sharing and collaboration with direct links and shared folders as well as Push functionality to keep everyone in sync fully. This model is also a nice way of backing up your data, but you'll have to keep it under 2GB of data unless you want to pay for it. Overall, if you use a lot of computers and do a lot of collaboration work, Dropbox or Box.net are extremely easy, useful and powerful.

4. Opera Unite
This new service built into the latest version of the Opera Internet browser connects your computer directly to the Internet and uses web-based apps for all of it's impressive array of functions. Once you set up an account, you get a page hosted at your own address, something like laptop.agc93.operaunite.com where you can install web apps such as a media player for your music library, a web hosting server, a messaging service, and, most importantly, file sharing. The file sharing function allows you to share any number of certain folders or drives. You can then navigate to the URL, choose File Sharing, enter your password, and voilà, all your files are waiting for you. Because it's just a web page, it's accessible in any browser and most of the applications seem to be very compatability-friendly, which is nice. If you only need your files occasionally and prefer a slicker, socially-oriented web interface, this is the best choice.

=2. FTP Server
For users who constantly access their files and need something a bit more serious, an FTP server is a powerful and functional way of remote accessing files. While the protocol itself is outdated, showing it's age and generally difficult to use, a savvy user will find a lot of possibility in it's advanced capabilities. The basic concept is that a computer (generally with a fairly large hard drive attached) is connected to the Internet with some FTP software active. Then, by logging into a Web address (using a Dynamic DNS updated like DynDNS works brilliantly) using similar FTP software or even most browsers you can access all your files as if they were on the local computer. What this also means is that you are not uploading your files to the Internet and then accessing them from a different location. What this entails is actually connectng directly to your home computer's files from another computer outside your home network.

=2. Orb 2.0
This innovative solution works fairly similarly to Opera Unite, but is a generally more complex and more advanced service. The premise is simple: log in to the MyCast website from anywhere in the world and start streaming your media straight away. In practice, after installing and configuring the client on your computer and getting yourself an Orb account, the real fun can start. Tell Orb where your music, videos, photos and documents are on your local computer and it begins to index them and (presumably) upoloads at least the index if not the files (it's all a little unclear) to the Orb servers. Then, by heading to the Orb site and logging in, you receive a browser-based Web interface for your media. While Orb can act as a full-function file sharer, it can be a little slow/clunky to use extensively. However, Orb's biggest trick is with media, especially music. Simply browse through your music library by folder, iTunes playlist, or by metadata and then choose a song or collection of songs to play. From there, Orb builds a stream which then opens on the local computer and starts playing in whatever the default stream client happens to be (usually Windows Media Player). What is great is that this stream is directly streaming your full-quality music file with only minor time lag, and the stream is very simple and stable to use. To change media, choose it in Orb and the stream re-builds to play your new choices. Video works also, but it and the photos function I haven't yet tested so I can't vouch for their abilities. For anyone with a love of music (especially those without iPods) you cannot go past Orb for easy, powerful online media access.

1. TeamViewer
This VNC alternative is simply genius. Where VNC usually involves FTP-style connections directly to the local computer complete with the complex port forwarding, strange address and Internet manoeuvres, TeamViewer revolves around Internet-based connectivity. First, youll need to install the TeamViewer application on your home computer. To connect to your computer, simply log on to the TeamViewer website and either download the client (necessary for complex operations like Presentation modes and direct File Transfers) or even better, continue with the Web interface. You'll have to sign up with an account to use the Web interface, but an account also maintains a live updating connection to your specified list of computers, which is nice. From here click on the name of your computer (that you've specified using a simple 9-digit code and password) and after a short connection wait, you'll see your computer and have full control from right within the browser. This is briliiant. A method to fully control and utilise your home computer without a direct connection with very little lag, even when both ends are working over WiFi, which is impressive. This also means that you not only have access to your files, but to your whole computer as if you were sitting right in front of it. It's amazing. And to go along with the desktop app and web interface, there is also a neat little iPhone app which uses multitouch and gestures to have full control of your computer, straight from your phone. Again, amazing!

If you want more guidance at setting up any of these, drop me a line, either in the comments or at ferretynetwork@gmail.com
Hope you enjoy it!