Sharing files

[Paulsou]

Hi, I'm looking at at sharing certain files and certain program's from my laptop with my partners laptop in order to keep files upto date on both, silly question but what would I need to do this? What equipment would I need and how would I set it up? I'm tight on the money so I don't want to get anybody in to do this!
I would appreciate any help on this matter!

 

[Scalloway]

You can share files using a free program like dropbox

https://www.dropbox.com/

 

[Bart Simpson]

Do you want to share files when you are with your partner or you want to do it from a remote location?

When you are with your partner you can use cheap portable drives or Wi-fi if thats available.

If you want to this when you are not close to each other you can use any cloud storage service like Dropbox or Skydrive. These are free upto certain limit then you have to pay for additional storage capacity.

By the way how big are the files? If not too much then try email.

 

[Paulsou]

I want to share files & program's remotely and we are just moving into a office where we have Internet access, all there is is a Internet socket on wall, so can I create a small network in office? If so what would be the basic equipment I would need for a low cost network for 2 laptops to share files in office?

 

[Scalloway]

You don't say whether the internet connection is a phone line or Ethernet connector. For a phone line all you need to set up a network is an ADSL router like this one.

http://www.ebuyer.com/186153-netgear-dgn1000-adsl-wireless-n150-modem-router-dgn1000-100uks

If it is an Ethernet connection you need a router like this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Wire...34uk4-H/dp/B003BIEOP0/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url

Set up a Workgroup in Windows and use the Public folders on your laptops or use one of the online filesharing options already mentioned.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

How can they share programmes then? forgive my ignorance.

 

[Scalloway]

The options I have given allow them to share files. Sharing programs is outwith my expertise but I would think it might be possible with a dedicated file server. With only two people working in the office it is probably simplest to swap PCs when someone wants to to use a program installed on the other machine.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Thanks. I would think that to share software they could use a virtual server, install the software on that, and remote connect to it. Save the files to dropbox and that might give them what they want.

Maybe?

it is outside my area of expertise as well

 

[Paulsou]

Thanks for all your replies, as I said I'm new to all this, what I meant by sharing files/ program's is that I wanted my book keeper/ admin person to enter details on accounts etc on my laptop with out me having to swap laptops, I am running several business projects but not on both laptops! How easy is it to put all on a mini server & setup mini network? As I said I'm green when it comes to working with more than one system!

 

[jaydeee]

I am thinking of making a virtual server on your computer and let your teammates connect there. In this setup, the specification of your computer should be high and the number of teammates that will connect to your virtual server is vital.

 

[Scalloway]

If bookkeeping is the problem it might be better to switch to an online system.

 

[leemason]

If you do have applications that you want to share then you have a couple of possibilities.

1. Setup a new PC system on an office network and install the applications on that PC. When you want to use them then access the PC using Microsoft RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol).
2. If you have some people in the office and some outside who want to access the same applications you could setup a virtual Windows machine with a company like www.vmhosts.co.uk and install the applications there. You can then access the applications in the same way as above (using RDP) to use them.

In either case the data will be stored on the shared PC. Only one person can use this PC at any one time.