Mac Forum / Applications / Other MS Products / June 2006

Dear RDC Discussion Group,

   I'm a very happy Mac owner, but I need to run some medical software
   that only runs on a PC.  Since the software will be driving some
   devices, I've decided to buy an inexpensive PC instead of trying to
   use Virtual PC.

   I have an iMac G5 running OS 10.3, and since I have limited space
   (and budget), I'd like to try to use the screen and keyboard of the
   iMac to run the PC.

   Is Remote Desktop Connection a good way to do this?  Are there any
   other solutions worth considering?

   If RDC is a good way to go, could you please advise me on how to
set
   this up.  I'm not very technically savvy.

   The iMac and PC would both be at home, right next to one another.
   Currently, the iMac is directly connected to a cable modem with an
   Ethernet cable.  My iMac doesn't have AirPort, and I don't have a
   home network.  My modem doesn't have a fixed IP address.

   I would ideally like the iMac and PC to both have Internet access,
   so each can download updates when needed.  And I would like the PC
   to not have access to the files on my iMac -- in case the PC gets a
   virus, I want to protect my Mac from any harm.

   Please let me know what I need to do to get this to work.  I
suspect
   I will need to buy something to make the connections.  If so, I
   welcome any advice you may have on what to buy.

Thank you very much!
Sincerely,

Clara