nvslater
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Clien/Server Setup
I have an external network hard drive; a router; extra computer. What would be the best way to use these to work with 2 more computers?
The 2 computers are used 1 by my wife and 1 by me. All 3 computers have windows xp-pro and ps-9. Three computers and external hard drive are plugged into output side of router. I would like it set-up single user or the easiest way possible. All computers have Windows XP-Pro and stand alone Photoshop CS2.
I named the computers Mars,Venus and Pluto. The external hard drive is named Netcenter and has lots of capabilities. http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=151
I also have a program called Karen's Replicator, which I have been using to back-up Mars to Venus and Pluto. All pictures are only on Mars. Karen puts a copy on the desktop of Venus (to be run manually) and on the desktop of Pluto (to be run auto every 30 minutes).
My plan would be to make my life easier. Maybe something like this: Netcenter,Mars, Venus and Pluto connect to router
http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=viewProduct&localeCode=EN_USA&cid=1&scid=17&pid=924
( this link describes SMC700VBR my router is SMC700ABR. But SMC says they are the same); Netcenter and Venus have Photosnop and assigned a workgroup; Mars and Pluto dont have Photoshop, but do have Karen and assigned a different workgroup. Or what about this; Phtoshop on Venus, Netcenter to recieve from Venus and send to Mars and Pluto (neither of which have Photoshop installed)
The 2 computers are used 1 by my wife and 1 by me. All 3 computers have windows xp-pro and ps-9. Three computers and external hard drive are plugged into output side of router. I would like it set-up single user or the easiest way possible. All computers have Windows XP-Pro and stand alone Photoshop CS2.
I named the computers Mars,Venus and Pluto. The external hard drive is named Netcenter and has lots of capabilities. http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=151
I also have a program called Karen's Replicator, which I have been using to back-up Mars to Venus and Pluto. All pictures are only on Mars. Karen puts a copy on the desktop of Venus (to be run manually) and on the desktop of Pluto (to be run auto every 30 minutes).
My plan would be to make my life easier. Maybe something like this: Netcenter,Mars, Venus and Pluto connect to router
http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=viewProduct&localeCode=EN_USA&cid=1&scid=17&pid=924
( this link describes SMC700VBR my router is SMC700ABR. But SMC says they are the same); Netcenter and Venus have Photosnop and assigned a workgroup; Mars and Pluto dont have Photoshop, but do have Karen and assigned a different workgroup. Or what about this; Phtoshop on Venus, Netcenter to recieve from Venus and send to Mars and Pluto (neither of which have Photoshop installed)
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If less confusing identification of machines is what you're after, rename the Start button to the machine name. Find out how here: http://www.theeldergeek.com/change_text_on_xp_start_button.htm . I use this approach for a couple of KVM'ed groups of systems I have to deal with.
Create network shares for Mars and Pluto to use on Venus and/or Netcenter, map the shares as drives and create desktop shortcuts to the mapped drives, or just create desktop shortcuts to the shares themselves.
Download and install IrfanView (free viewing program that works very well) http://www.irfanview.com/main_download_engl.htm .
Now, all you have to do is open the shortcut on Mars or Pluto, double click the file you want to view, and viola. You can even cycle through the pix in the folder with the scroll wheel on your mouse, assuming you have one, while in IrfanView.
Of course, all of this assumes I'm understanding what it is you're wanting to do.
Create network shares for Mars and Pluto to use on Venus and/or Netcenter, map the shares as drives and create desktop shortcuts to the mapped drives, or just create desktop shortcuts to the shares themselves.
Download and install IrfanView (free viewing program that works very well) http://www.irfanview.com/main_download_engl.htm .
Now, all you have to do is open the shortcut on Mars or Pluto, double click the file you want to view, and viola. You can even cycle through the pix in the folder with the scroll wheel on your mouse, assuming you have one, while in IrfanView.
Of course, all of this assumes I'm understanding what it is you're wanting to do.
ASKER
I am only interested in using photoshop
So, you're wanting to use Photoshop on computers it's not installed on? Ain't gonna happen without dozens of hours of registry editing, file copying, etc. Sorry.
ASKER
k
ASKER
Check this out to see if I am getting the best use of my equipment; Mars,Venus and Pluto have photoshop, but only Venus has my pictures which are opened by Mars and Pluto to be worked on and saved to Venus.
Karen on Mars and Netcenter to be ran manually and on Pluto to be ran every 30 minutes
Karen on Mars and Netcenter to be ran manually and on Pluto to be ran every 30 minutes
That sounds very reasonable to me. Given that the Netcenter is nothing more than a hard drive with a very rudimentary operating system and a NIC, giving it the least possible points of failure, and the lowest likelihood of ever being infected with a worm, trojan or virus, I'd set it as the primary backup location, and put it on the autoschedule.
When it comes to backup locations, and frequency, the more the merrier.
When it comes to backup locations, and frequency, the more the merrier.
ASKER
OK I'll do as you suggest. Sorry I have already accepted an answer. Can I give you points?
Don't worry about it. A little friendly give and take is all part of the 'puter guy's life.
ASKER
Thanks
ASKER