remotes

The ideal backup configuration for a home user is one that combines local and cloud storage, one that works automatically and in the background, and one that's reasonably priced -- for multiple users, not just one.

Bam! Think I've found just the thing, and if you'll excuse a little nepotism, it's right here on CNET.

In fact, it's a CNET exclusive: the Pogoplug Family backup with Pogoplug Mobile for $29 per year. Shipping adds $9.95.

Pogoplug Family is the new Pogoplug cloud-storage service that gives you 100GB of online backup space for up to … Read more

It's easy to go over the top when it comes to outfitting your dream home theater system. One minute you're checking out HD projectors, and the next minute you're trying to figure out how to convert your entire basement into a giant subwoofer.

But it never hurts to start with the basics. In this CNET Top 5, I asked CNET Associate Editor Matthew Moskovciak for the essential ingredients in today's modern home theater system.

The temperature inside your car can get insanely hot on sunny days, regardless of the temperature outside. When you get to your car and it's boiling hot, what's the first thing you do? You lower the windows and blast the air conditioner, right?

A convenient feature that's been around for years, but remains unknown to many car owners, is the ability to lower the windows with the key remote. This allows you to begin cooling your car without having to get in first. Unless the car dealership told you about this trick or you happen to read … Read more

If you regularly access remote servers using the secure shell (SSH) command in your Mac's Terminal, often you will do so to simply edit a configuration file or two. This is normally done using a Terminal-based text editor such as vi, nano, or emacs; however, even though these programs can be fairly powerful options, often they simply lack in both ease and capability when compared to GUI-based editors like the TextWrangler, a popular and free editor from BareBones software.

Unfortunately being a full GUI application, TextWrangler will not run in the Terminal so you cannot use a remote copy … Read more

TeamViewer is a free tool that makes it incredibly easy to set and use a VPN connection; a Virtual Private Network that lets you take complete control of another PC from your own computer, whether they're separated by a soda can or a continent (and as long as both machines are running TeamViewer). It enables two-way connections in which users can flip control back and forth. TeamViewer also lets you hold virtual meetings with multiple participants (again, they all must have TeamViewer installed). With a name like TeamViewer, you'd expect it to be an enterprise-ready tool, and you'… Read more

If you're one of the 15 to 26 million people who use Spotify to listen to music on the regular, you'd probably appreciate being able to control it remotely from your iPhone, Android, or other device, so you don't have to walk over to your computer, Android, or iPhone in order to skip a song, queue up a new playlist or album, and so on.

Luckily for you, we've found several apps that let you do exactly that, whether you're trying to control Spotify on a Mac, Windows, or even an iOS or Android … Read more

Happy Monday! OK, Mondays aren't typically a happy time, especially if yours involves waking before the sun, fighting commuter traffic, and/or long lines at Starbucks. (First-world problems, am I right?)

Hopefully I can make your day a little brighter by offering not one, not two, but four sweet buys. That's right: it's a multi-deal Monday. You're feeling better already, I bet.

1. First up, Daily Steals has the refurbished Logitech Harmony 650 universal remote for $29.99, plus $4.99 for shipping. The Harmony series is quite popular around these parts, offering a user-friendly replacement … Read more

If you are familiar with the Unix command line, then the OS X Terminal is a great resource for accessing systems remotely. This can be done with several different protocols, including SSH and Telnet, FTP, and SFTP, as well as several others. Often people who use the Terminal for remote access will have several servers they regularly access, which makes typing the commands and URLs to establish the connection rather redundant.

To make this easier, you have several approaches you can take. The first is to set up a script or shell function that will store the connection information for … Read more

This is an update of a post from way back in January.

Tired of juggling two, three, even five remotes? There's salvation to be found in the form of Logitech's Harmony series of universal clickers, which not only take the place of multiple 'remotes but also let you set up crazy-handy macro functions.

One of the color-LCD models, the 650, usually sells for around $80. But if you don't mind going the refurbished route, you can get one for a lot less. While supplies last, TigerDirect has open-box Logitech Harmony 650 remotes for $29.99 shipped. That'… Read more