Remote Desktop is a very good remote-control application in Window XP Professional that lets you take over a Win XP Pro system from any other PC using Windows 95 or later. To enable Remote Desktop, go to Control Panel | System, click on the Remote tab, and select Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.
Remote Desktop is very quick, but to get the best performance, go to the machine that will be controlling the Remote Desktop host and launch the Remote Desktop Connection client. Select Options and click the Experience tab. Then select the connection type that best matches the way you're attaching to the host PC.
Before Windows XP, getting your infrared port to work probably took its toll on even the most seasoned IT staffers. Driver issues were many, and even when your IR was functioning, your coworker's IR probably wasn't.
With Windows XP, things have changed. For the first time, many users are realizing that their notebooks have IR ports. On a notebook, IrDA is a line-of sight connection that can work up to 2 meters away. In most newer notebooks, it can transfer data at up to 4 Mbps. Now that you have a working IR port, what are you going to do with it?
Sync. Perhaps the most popular use is for syncing to Palm devices and handheld PCs without cradles. It takes a little longer but gets the job done.
Print. Some printers also have IR ports, letting you print files from your notebook without connecting over a network. To set this up, use the Add Printer wizard, found by clicking the Printers and Faxes icon in the Control Panel. Follow the wizard and choose your local IR port to load the printer driver.
Transfer. You can use IR to transfer files between notebooks if you have no network to connect over. Place the two notebooks so the IR ports are within sight of each other. Then grab the files and send them from one to the other notebook. As a security measure, the receiving notebook will ask whether the owner wants to receive the files. Just okay the transfer and let it go.
Many of you may also be wondering about Bluetooth. It's also a wireless technology; it has a longer range but a maximum throughput of 1 Mbps. It most likely will supplant IR, but for now, IR is on just about every notebook, and Bluetooth is not
In many areas across the country you now must dial the area code (but not the 1) for all local calls. Making your PC do this is not as straightforward as you might expect. If you don't use Locations and Dialing Rules, you can just specify the ten-digit number. If you do use rules and locations, follow these steps.
In Windows 98 and Me, go to the Control Panel, then Modems. Click on your modem and choose Dialing Properties | Area Code Rules | Always dial the area code.
In Windows XP and 2000, go to Control Panel | Phone and Modem Options and click on Dialing Rules. If your location exists, click Edit; otherwise, select New. Go to the Area Code Rules tab and select New. Type in your area code, and place a check mark next to Include the area code.