Live Mesh

re: Live Mesh

kellymjones — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:02:43 GMT

As much as I like the file sync features, I'm most looking forward to seeing Mesh applications sync'd across devices. One of the great things about web applications is that the data and the application to process the data are integrated and usable by any reasonably modern browser. File sync alone (FolderShare) doesn't completely cut it. With Mesh I expect to see data *and* associated rich applications sync'd across devices. I don't yet know the big picture of Mesh, but it looks to be huge. This year's PDC should be one of the most interesting in a long time.

re: Live Mesh

dstrack — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:45:15 GMT

I've been using the Mesh Beta to play around with a place to store my .pst file for use on the other machines on my home network. Works pretty well. I'm really liking the product so far.

re: Live Mesh

rickhuizinga — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:33:27 GMT

I was watching one of the Microsoft videos explaining the mesh, and I noticed that one of the developers had a Firefox folder in his mesh.

This got me thinking about using the Mesh as a place to install PortableApps. I.e. Portable Firefox, etc. This would keep all of the application's state synced across all of your devices in the mesh.

re: Live Mesh

rickhuizinga — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:41:08 GMT

Waethorn,

I think you may have misunderstood my comment. I was referring to connecting by remote desktop to the PCs in your home. Remote Desktop has a client, and a "server". By server, I did not mean Terminal Server - rather the counterpart to the remote desktop client that runs on the machine that you are trying to connect to. I.e. a client-server relationship. Such a server is included by default in XP Pro, Vista Business and Vista Ultimate and not in XP Home, Vista Home Basic or Vista Home Premium. These are the editions that you would normally expect to see in a home environment. And yes, remote desktop control of your home PCs is an advertised feature of WHS.

re: Live Mesh

Waethorn — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:20:08 GMT

"The advertised feature is remote access to your home PCs, and the implementation falls short of that."

um, where does it advertise that??!? i have never seen that even mentioned before. To link TS sessions from a Windows Server to a Windows XP Pro machine, you need to have it connected to a domain. You're not doing that with WHS, nor are you accessing your home PC's through your router - you'd have to have a separate RDP port set up to access each client desktop separately, because you can't have more than 1 computer running a service on a specific port. Consumer client versions of Windows don't support domain-joining, nor does WHS magically scan your workgroup network and find each and every computer system, while simultaneously programming your router via UPnP with a separate RDP port for each system, sorry.

re: Live Mesh

Lindy — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:25:43 GMT

I simply cant stress how good www.logmein.com is. Its like go to my PC, but free for the simple remote control. There are paid versions that give you file transfer, stats, client push and all of that, but the free version is a great product.

I have a free account and probably have 20 friends and family computers in my account. Someone has a problem, they call me I remote in. No opening ports on the router (its 443), no plain text user/password transmission etc.

www.logmein.com and never use RDP to a XP/VISTA client again.

re: Live Mesh

rickhuizinga — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:49:21 GMT

"....because WHS is based on Windows Server 2003 and all server OS's have RDP/Terminal Services capabilities. You can remote in via a home OR business client desktop, but only the business client desktops have the RDP server functionality."

This is an excuse for the limitations of the chosen implementation method. The advertised feature is remote access to your home PCs, and the implementation falls short of that.

re: Live Mesh

Waethorn — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:26:40 GMT

"why advertise this as a feature for HOME server when they are only supported by BUSINESS editions of Windows?"

....because WHS is based on Windows Server 2003 and all server OS's have RDP/Terminal Services capabilities. You can remote in via a home OR business client desktop, but only the business client desktops have the RDP server functionality.

re: Live Mesh

Lindy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:02:20 GMT

www.logmein.com its free, it WAY MORE SECURE than RDP and it runs on home versions of Windows and OS X.

WHS is a total waste of money. FreeNAS is well...FREE. www.freenas.org.

re: Live Mesh

rickhuizinga — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:07:47 GMT

This sounds great!

I just wish Microsoft would be consistent with the choices they make in adding features to their products. Specifically, the Remote Desktop feature appears to be included in Live Mesh for all editions of the Windows Desktop client. Why is it then, that although this is an advertised feature of Windows Home Server, do they only provide remote desktop access for XP Professional, Vista Business & Vista Ultimate???? I understand these are the only editions with built-in remote desktop server, but why advertise this as a feature for HOME server when they are only supported by BUSINESS editions of Windows? To add insult to injury, this is now a standard feature of a free trial of Live Mesh whereas Home Server is a pay-for-use product.

re: Live Mesh

dstrack — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:49:13 GMT

I'm not sure I agree with you, but I see your point. I use all the things you mentioned as well... but I also use WinMobile and a Zune... (I have a few Macs - the Air most recently).

I think Live Mesh is going to be great for me. Also - with the introduction of Exchange support for iPhone I have to imagine that MSFT will eventually support both the iPhone and BBerry... but who knows. Time will tell.

FWIW - I would also like to switch to the iPhone (currently have a Verizon XV6800) but the lack of 3G and AT&T exclusive have me holding off.

re: Live Mesh

Lindy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:04:53 GMT

Why do I say that? Past experience with MS. I dont want Vista. I dont want Windows Mobile. I dont want a hotmail account. I am not alone. For Example....

Paul uses Gmail and his iPhone.

I use gmail, XP, OS X, blackberry but will switch to a iPhone after it gets Exchange and 3G. There is no way I am going to Vista at home and my company (122k+ employees) is not moving to Vista until 2010 if ever, the project was killed. I wont use Windows Mobile and I wont get a hotmail/msn/live or whatever its called now account.

So if I can tie in my Mac, XP box, my gmail, and my Blackberry/iPhone, my 360 (with out MS points), google search/maps, and my gtalk/aol IM to this then sure I will try it.

If this is just to push Vista, Windows Mobile, live search, live maps, MS messenger and Zune...then sorry it wont happen for me.

One of the best concepts of cloud computing it to pick what you want from the cloud, mix and match, open standards etc. Its NOT to tie me to MS products, thus moving their way and monopoly from the desktop to the cloud. If MS tries this at this point in time they will fail miserably. The world wont accept it out side of MS fanboys.

re: Live Mesh

dstrack — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:07:05 GMT

Lindy - why do you say that? Outside of the Zune (and right now Vista - but face it, eventually everyone will upgrade) each other product is an industry leader...

re: Live Mesh

Lindy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:54:24 GMT

I will watch how this plays out, but if you have to have all MS products, Vista, Windows Mobile, Zune, 360, hotmail account etc, its not going to get very far.

re: Live Mesh

dstrack — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:47:05 GMT

Waethorn - will definitely check that out... Thanks for the advice!