Briefcase & Dial Up Server

[PCSolutions]

I have a client that wants to share data between 2 computers. Both are running 98 so I will post this on the 98 forum as well.
The systems are about 40 miles from each other. During the day his secretary will do all the data entry. Sometime at night they want to update the data on his computer. Both users are pretty much computer novices.
In the interest of keeping this as simple as possible, I was going to use a dial up server & briefcase.
The computers will connect to each other but I think I set up briefcase wrong.
After reading more I learned that the 2 systems should be connected before adding items to the briefcase on the server (his system). It also needs IPX/SPX which they both have
I am not clear about a couple of points:
Do the folders contaning the data need to be shared on both systems? Currently they are
Does the briefcase need to contain the files that we want to update on both systems? Currently they do
Will shortcuts to the data files suffice in briefcase or do I need copies of the originals? Currently I have shortcuts in the briefcase
Ideally we would like to share his printer as well.
In all the years that Ive teched 95 & 98 this is the first time I have ever used briefcase. It seems like the ideal way to achieve this
Any suggestions?

[snarkie]

Sounds like you might be a good customer for the latest version of ICQ. You can send files back and forth by internet using ICQ (or some of the other messaging services). This may not be the most efficient way of doing it, but it works very well. I sent and received some pretty big files to other users, as far away as Australia via ICQ.

There is a program called PC Anywhere which might be what you are looking for, if the ICQ thing doesn't fly with you. However I have never used it myself, so I can't really tell you much about it.

Of course ICQ is a freebie, PC Anyware I believe is in the $70 range.

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Col. Hogan, Cpl. LeBeau, Sgt. Kinchloe, Sgt. Carter, Cpl. Newkirk
Col. Klink, Und Sgt. Schultz

[PCSolutions]

I initially thought about something similar. For that matter, they can attach the files to an email
I love ICQ. Its a "must have" program
The problem is then making sure that the files go into the correct directories
ICQ would put the files in \program files\icq\received files\username
The Word & Access docs need to go into My Documents, another programs data needs to go into a pecific folder & a third is several levels deep.
Even though this is a simple concept for most of us, new users have a hard time with paths. The goal with briefcase was to try to eliminate this
I also thought about writing them a batch file that would copy everything to the correct locations.
Im still thingking that briefcase is the way to go.


[This message has been edited by PCSolutions (edited 10-28-2000).]

[PCSolutions]

Thanks Triple7!
Thats just what I wanted. Good clean consise docs. You gave the the meat & taters. I will figure out the rest.