TECH SPECIAL............................ How to Manage & Sync Multiple Devices

How to Manage & Sync Multiple Devices



Many households and small offices have multiple computers and other computing devices (such as tablets & phones) -each with its own data and settings. Karan Bajaj & Hitesh Raj Bhagat guide you how to keep your data and preferences synced across all these devices for easier access and sharing

Access and Share Files

There are two ways to share files between computers. You can use either a wireless or wired internet connection (though both computers will need to be on the same network). You can enable file and print sharing on a Windows computers from Settings and from Sharing in System Preferences on a MAC. You can then select individual folders, open their properties and set them to be shared on the network. The shared folder will be visible on all the connected computers under network drives.You can also buy a crossover Ethernet cable online, which will allow you to connect two computers directly for wired file sharing. If you find this to be too complicated, head to http:allwaysync.com and download the free version of Allway Sync. The program has an easy-to-use interface that lets you keep folders on multiple computers in sync (it's Windows only).

Control Multiple Computers with One Keyboard & Mouse

Using free software called Synergy (http:www.synergy-project.org), you can control multiple computers using one keyboard and mouse. It works with Windows, MAC & Linux.You need to install the software on each computer and set the PC that has the keyboardmouse as the server. The other computers will be client computers. Once this is done, you can use the mouse to move across all screens and control all the computers.Using Synergy, you can even copy text from one computer and paste it to another.

Keep Browsers Synced

If you use Chrome, FireFox or Opera, it makes sense to create a free account so that you can use the same browser on multiple devices. All you need to do is use the same browser with the same account on all your devices. Any websites you bookmark as well as any passwords saved will automatically get synced on all devices. If you don't see sync settings, make sure you have the latest version. Try checking for updates or download the latest version of all browsers from http:www.ninite.com. If you use multiple browsers on different devices, get LastPass (http:www.lastpass.com). LastPass stores all your passwords with multifactor authentication and you can install and use the software on multiple devices without having to worry about remembering passwords.

Stream to Multiple Computers

Using the free VLC media player and its multicast feature, you can easily stream audio or video to multiple computers. VLC has a built-in option where you can select multiple files and set them to be streamed over a network. To do this, first make sure you have the latest version of VLC. Then select `Stream' from the Media menu on the top bar and add the video file you want to stream In the Destination menu, select HTTP from the drop down, click Add and put the Port number as 8080. Now on any other PC, go to Media > Open Network Stream and input the IP address of the computer that is streaming the videoaudio, along with the port number. Keep in mind that the content is being streamed over the Internet so the quality will depend on the speed of your broadband.

SOFTWARE

LiteManager (http:www.litemanager.com)

As a user or manager of multiple computers, you need some software that can be used to control all of them at one time. LiteManager needs to be installed on all the computers on the network and you will be able to remotely connect to them, transfer files from one to the other, control power management, text chat with users currently using those systems and so on. It shows you a network map of all the systems and up to 30 computers can be controlled using the free version. For more features like a screen recorder, capturing video & audiovideo chat, you need the pro version. It costs $10 per license (per user, up to 50 users).

SRemote (http:venussoftcorporation.blogspot.in)

SRemote offers remote control of a computer via gmail.It's a small, free download that keeps monitoring a Gmail ID for commands that you place in the subject line.When you first install it, you need to enter the Gmail ID that you want it to monitor (and the password for it -we recommend that you create a new one or use one that you don't regularly use). Then you enter a second Gmail ID which SRemote will reply to (this can be your usual Gmail ID). There are multiple commands you can send to SRemote: screenshot, shutdown, restart, run, get or move files and so on. A full list is provided on the web page.

Quick Screen Share (http:www.quickscreenshare.com)

You can use this web link to share your screen with someone else, without installing any software. This is useful if you have an office computer that is locked or when you are not an administrator. It works on Windows, MAC and Linux by creating a secure peer-to-peer connection between two connected computers. It assumes that you have Java installed ( you will be prompted to install it first). Typical uses for this service include remote control of another computer, remote support and collaboration on documents.

Guacamole (http:guac-dev.org)

Guacamole is an open source, clientless remote desktop gateway. It supports usual protocols like VNC and RDP. It's an alternative to enterprisebacked freeware and requires a Linux or Unix computer to host the server software. From this server, you can connect to and control multiple computers in the same network using their web browsers. The developers have included a thorough installation guide (both server and client side) as well as the complete source code if you want to fiddle with it.

Chrome Remote Desktop (Chrome Extension)

You can quickly connect to and control another computer just by using Google's Chrome web browser. Both sides need to have Chrome and the Chrome Remote Desktop extension installed. It works on Windows, MAC, Linux and on Chromebooks. Once you activate it, you will be given a time sensitive, 12-digit authentication code (or access code) -you need to share the code with the person who you want to give access to. On the other end, you need to select `Access a shared computer' and input the authentication code.The connection between both devices is fully secure and the service is free and cross platform.

TeamViewer (http:www.teamviewer.com)

TeamViewer is the remote supportonline meeting software of choice for many -it's free for non-commercial use. It has uses like transfer of files, remote control and online meetings, presentations. Online meetings can have up to 25 participants.With the paid version and the TeamViewer QuickSupport app (available for iOS, Android & WP 8), an administrator can provide remote assistance to mobile users from a remote workstation. It is compatible with Windows, MAC and Linux. The paid version for business users costs `28,500 -each additional workstation will be `5,600.

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