March 9, 2007, Newsletter Issue #55: Windows, UNIX, and Remote Computing

Tip of the Week

Until recently, the remote computing platform of choice was UNIX because a UNIX system could be logged into and controlled from a remote terminal anywhere in the world. However, there are currently remote computer access programs for Windows machines that are much easier to use and offer rich features that are not only unavailable for simple SSH or telnet connections, but for any common remote computing administration offered for the UNIX platforms.

For example, AccessDesk from NetworkStreaming can administer several remote systems at one time, install software on all of them, cause them to reboot, and automatically reconnect when they all come back online. If one were to attempt this in UNIX he would have to open up several terminals, issue similar install commands in each terminal to both fetch and install the new software, reboot, and then simply wait several minutes until guessing that the remote machines had come back online and logging into them again.

While this is not an argument that one operating system is better than another, it is meant to dispel a myth that Windows machines are less friendly to remote support needs than are UNIX boxes, as that's simply not the case anymore, so the myth should not affect your decision to use one operating system or another on your server.

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