Control your PC with your Palm

Posted By: Drew Rossman Thursday, February 1, 2001 8:30:53 AM

PDA Controls.com in conjunction with The Pittsburgh Pebbles PDA Project at Carnegie Mellon University have created a site devoted to the promotion of software that controls a Windows Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 based PC. The software is FREE, as are the step by step instructions on how to install and operate the various applications. There are also applications that permit multiple Palms to be connected to the same computer and work simultaneously.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association will feature an article on the software's implications for the handicapped in it's Feb. 2001 issue of "Quest" magazine. This is an important step forward in permitting computer access to everyone.

The Pebbles programs allow you to connect in three ways: using a serial port, using Infrared, or using a network connection. The PC must be running the PebblesPC application.

Some of the Palm app include:

Remote Commander - allows the Palm to be used as if it were the PC's cursor and keyboard
Pebbles Chat - allows users to communicate with other Palm users connected to the same PC
Shortcutter - allows users to draw panels of controls (buttons, scroll bars, knobs and other widgets) on the Palm and then use them to control any PC application
MultiCursor and PebblesDraw - drawing application in which each Palm user has their own cursor. PebblesDraw is an experimental, prototype, partially finished application.
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VNC

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/1/2001 9:36:59 AM #

This is no news. You have been able to remotly controll PC's, Mac's and UNIX machines for a long time with VNC (http://www.icsi.berkeley.edu/~minenko/PalmVNC/).

- Love this site, though!

RE: VNC

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/1/2001 11:22:11 AM #

But VNC doesn't run on a Palm/PDA device. Big Difference! I can see the possible uses for someone with a disability to be able to not have to use a keyboard.

RE: VNC

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/1/2001 12:32:28 PM #

Did you even follow the VNC link? It's called PALM VNC!!! It runs on a Palm for crying out loud. Sheesh.

RE: VNC

Ed @ 2/2/2001 8:24:29 AM #

While VNC is similar to what the Pebbles Project is trying to do, they aren't quite the same thing. PalmVNC is great for controlling your PC from the other side of town. What the Pebbles Project people seem to be trying to do is make it easier for you to control your PC from the other side of the room in situations where PalmVNC would be overkill.

The best use I can imagine for most of this is during presentations. You could use your Palm as a portable control panel to run the PC that is showing the demo. This is especially useful if you are trying to demo several different applications, not just run through a PowerPoint slideshow.

---
Plenipotentiary
Palm Infocenter

RE: VNC

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/2/2001 6:45:17 PM #

I just downloaded VNC and installed it for the first time after hearing of it here. It is the finest and most useful piece of "mobile" software I've ever seen for the Palm. Yes, I've tried probably all of them.

RE: VNC

Rossman @ 2/3/2001 10:47:55 PM #

I am pleased to have learned of the VNC site. When time permits I will look it over real good.

I hope that you found the "PDA Controls" site of use though. The primary purpose for the site is to permit "handicapped / disabled " users that may not otherwise be able to navigate a regular keyboard or mouse, thus excluding or limiting their utilization of a PC. My daughter is in this position and has found the Pebbles software to be indispensible. Thanks for the comments and Have a Great Day!

Drew Rossman

http://www.pdacontrols.com

VNC is too slow

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/2/2001 3:19:43 AM #

I'd like to have client for Microsoft Terminal Services. MSTS are included for free admin use in Win2000 servers. Very fast, very nice... In compare with VNC than MSTS is brilliant piece and VNC is over.

RE: VNC is too slow

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/2/2001 10:57:05 AM #

It is right VNC is slower than MSTS, but it like comparing an strawberry to a Ferrari. They're both red. That's all.

VNC and MSTS do not have the same purpose, neither the same weight.

Vnc is ~200 kb for the PC Client, and ~34 kb for the Palm Client.

MSTS needs two floppies + a Windows 95 to work : ~ 60 Mb.

Go CMU !!!!

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/3/2001 12:10:37 AM #

Oh BABY...I love that school. Little things like PDA's remotely controlling computers might not be big news but I tell you...
CARNEGIE MELLON IS THE BOMB!!!!

A proud CMU alumnus,
Don

Bluetooth Commander

WorldCTZen @ 2/3/2001 4:05:37 PM #

I've been dreaming about something similar to this, via bluetooth... turn the handheld into a remote commander for the laptop, PC, and any connected apps/devices. IR is too finicky, serial might be ok (but limiting).
Imagine flopping on the sofa & using your palm to surf, control MP3 or DVD apps.. the cyber-couch-potato's best friend!