Windows XP Pro vs. Media Center
- Thread starter gravitas
- Start date
Bought Media Centre as it had additional functionality with xbox 360. Then Windows Media Player 11 came out. Not only does it work exactly how media centre xp does, but its faster and more organized. 
Media Centre Xp is really windows xp pro, with so called enhanced media functions. Like hooking computer to tv and using it as dvd recorder or pvr. None of which actually works unless you buy additional hardware, like capture card, all in one reader and such. Also, most media centre xp OS have to be purchased with a new computer, or certain parts. Very few retailers sell it as a stand alone product.
Media Centre Xp is really windows xp pro, with so called enhanced media functions. Like hooking computer to tv and using it as dvd recorder or pvr. None of which actually works unless you buy additional hardware, like capture card, all in one reader and such. Also, most media centre xp OS have to be purchased with a new computer, or certain parts. Very few retailers sell it as a stand alone product.
Well that means it has some use! You can more easily pick up cold dog shit. You can also throw it further. Ever tried to throw warm dog shit? It doesn't go far, but when it hits your target in the face, it spreads further. Personally I prefer cold dog shit. But be careful it's not too cold (and old) or else it could disintegrate when you throw it.gravitas said:
I use both RealVNC and Remote Desktop.
For RealVNC you need to install the software on your GF/FB's computer to work, from there its easy to just log in and remotely fix things. A good thing about VNC is that you can see what they are doing, which i use when people can't explain what they are doing, i just log in and ask them to repeat the steps they took, and watch what they do and save myself of having to figure out what they are trying to do.
MCE 2005 is based on XP Pro, so it can do pretty much anything that pro can do except join a domain. Which means that it can use Remote Desktop. One thing about Remote Desktop, if they don't ask for assistance and i log in, it will kick them out of the system, the other way, although a bit more secure since they have to acknowledge that they want help and allow you to take over is a little daunting for the tech-challenged the first time.
I've had good success with both, so you may want to give them both a try, , you may want to:
Latest version of Remote Desktop
Real VNC
For RealVNC you need to install the software on your GF/FB's computer to work, from there its easy to just log in and remotely fix things. A good thing about VNC is that you can see what they are doing, which i use when people can't explain what they are doing, i just log in and ask them to repeat the steps they took, and watch what they do and save myself of having to figure out what they are trying to do.
MCE 2005 is based on XP Pro, so it can do pretty much anything that pro can do except join a domain. Which means that it can use Remote Desktop. One thing about Remote Desktop, if they don't ask for assistance and i log in, it will kick them out of the system, the other way, although a bit more secure since they have to acknowledge that they want help and allow you to take over is a little daunting for the tech-challenged the first time.
I've had good success with both, so you may want to give them both a try, , you may want to:
- change the default port numbers
- forward the ports to the computer
- forward the ports to the computer
Latest version of Remote Desktop
Real VNC
MS Media Center 2005 comes with everything that MS XP Pro has plus MediaCenter includes some utilities that allow the use of a remote control, TV Tuner Card and other hardware without having to load the hardware makers software.gravitas said:this
Is it "missing" anything that comes with Pro?
Don`t think that should be an issue for me.
That was funny
The ability to control another PC is built in. All you have to do is select your drives and click the share volumn button. Just remember to unshare them once you`re done so that they can`t be accessed by all the assholes on the internet.
You're almost correct on that, since it has pretty much everything that XP Pro has, except the ability to join Domains in a corporate setting. So you can't use it to hook it up to the network and use it as a workstation on the network using Windows Servers AD profiles and such.
Remote Desktop and File sharing are completely different, in that file sharing can be done with any version of windows (Home, XP, MCE, etc...) but you can only view the directories on the network that are shared out. Remote Desktop allows you to use the other computer as if you were in front of it, very useful to fix things for employees on the other side of the building or elsewhere on the planet without having to move from your desk.
