how can i control windows apps installed on a web server?

conrol apps web server

[henrus]

i'd like to be able to run windows apps that are installed on a web server, but have it remotely turned on and off (and generally control them) through a web page.

for instance, the web server could display a page that has a "Play" button on it, and when a user clicks that, it will run the copy of Windows Media Player on that web server and play the CD that's loaded on that machine.

or, similarly, i'd like to initiate an applescript (if on a mac) which does a bunch of tasks on the server (e.g., open a word doc, convert it to RTF, zip it up and mail it to an address). etc.

is there a simple way to do this? thanks.

henry

[jebarber]

I know of a few programs that allow you to control WinAMP from a web browser. Can't think of any by name right now.

That's the only thing I know of, but I'm pretty new to this myself.

[divaone]

i may be a bit confused here from your post. it sounds like you're looking more for a pcAnywhere type application for remotely controlling another computer.

for instance, the web server could display a page that has a "Play" button on it, and when a user clicks that, it will run the copy of Windows Media Player on that web server and play the CD that's loaded on that machine.

of course, this is a - one user at a time - type deal, so i would still suggest a remote operation program.

[bcolflesh]

For Windows you can use the WSH (Windows Scripting Host):

msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/script56/html/wsoriWindowsScriptHost.asp

[bcolflesh]

This might do what you need for Mac:

macupdate.com/info.php/id/6517

[ogletree]

If this is windows 2000 you just need the terminal server client and you can just log on and do anything.

[henrus]

hi everyone,

sorry i didn't respond sooner. i lost the URL for this site and took me forever to find it again (had it bookmarked on a computer i don't use that often). :>

anyway, most of you may have moved on, but i will clarify my question.

i'm actually not looking to use pcAnywhere or the like. i actually want to avoid using the PC windows/desktop metaphor completely, since i eventually want to interface with the computer from a Wifi-enabled PDA or other such atypical devices with limited screen real estate.

so i'd like to use a web page as my visual metaphor. i'd like for the user to be able to go to a URL, and be able to click buttons and things to turn on and off (and otherwise control) applications through that web page. but i don't need for that user to have to see all of the User Interface complexities of Windows applications.

so basic functions are: user goes to a web page, clicks a button to start playing a WAV or MP3 file on the same computer that the web server is on. it can launch WindowsMediaPlayer, for instance. user can also control the volume or stop the player, etc.

one question i have for bcolflesh is: how do i get the web server to initiate a script on WSH?

hope this helps clarify. thanks!

[bcolflesh]

This should get you started:

msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/script56/html/wstsksetupofremotewsh.asp

[henrus]

ahhhh...ok. i think i get it. i guess i can use jscript to initiate a local WSH script. thanks!