Free Cloud Desktop FAQ
Contents
Overview
The Basics
Help
Your Password
Your Data
Security
Privacy
Printing
Email
Navigation
Bookmarks
Files
Setup and Troubleshooting
Disclaimer
Getting the most from your Free Cloud Desktop is about how you use it. Each person has their own needs and wants, but we expect this desktop to work in harmony with your all your desktops, devices and data. Most Desktop Offerings want to take over and have you discard all the desktops you have in favor of it. Vendors like to trap you or they are just not really thinking about you at all. We’d like to change that to the degree we can.
Welcome to Your Free Cloud Desktop. Here is some information on Setup and Troubleshooting.
We believe that the proper perspective for technology is that You are the center of all things. You, not a piece of hardware, software, vendor or even your data. We see the Cloud Desktop approach working best by simply adding another tool to your existing technical toolbox. We don’t want to take anything you like away. We want your Virtual Desktop to work with you, not against you.
This EzineArticle – Free Cloud Desktop article describes some to the benefits to your new desktop and its use. This overview might will help you started thinking about how your Desktop Anywhere Free Cloud Desktop can really help make your life better.
We expect that Cloud Desktops may be to physical desktops what cell hones are now to land lines. Cloud Desktops may not be the only kind of desktop you have, but they will eventually become the most common kind. The reasons are very similar. They have the widest accessibility (by far), the cost less and they have more capability.
There are limitations to the Desktop Anywhere Free Cloud Desktop offering. In order to deliver the desktop service free, your free desktop uses excess capacity in a shared model. This means that as long as the resources for paid services are not required, the excess is shared among the Free Users. Such services are not unlimited but they are scalable, at a price. The good news is, prices of most Cloud Services is expected to continue to drop.
Much like your cell phone has limits to the base usage, charges for excess uses and users that do not meet the conditions of use will apply. You are responsible for usage charges from your service accounts with Amazon, Drop Box and any other shared service that you sign up for. If you need a more reliable or robust Cloud Desktop or other Cloud offering please see our website DesktopAnywhere.com or our Contact Us page.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your Free Cloud Desktop Experience. If you have any suggestions or comments on how to improve the Desktop Anywhere Free Cloud Desktop, please Contact Us.
Not that you need to know to use it, but your Free Cloud Desktop is in technical term a GNOME Desktop on top of Ubuntu Linux. Using it is easy. Which is good news because developing and delivering it to you took a lot of work from a lot of people in a lot of places. Nice to have all the folks working to help you isn’t it?
Looking at the Screen Shot below:
The top area of the screen is called a Panel. There is also another panel at the bottom that will not be used.
The Menu Items are at the upper left hand corner of the Panel (Applications, Places and System). Clicking on these provides drop downs with more options.
Following the Menu Items on the Panel is the Application Quick Launch section (sort of Left Middle of the Panel). Clicking on these icons will launch the associated application.
At the far right of the top of the screen is an icon for Drop Box, an email setup icon (not recommended), the Time, your ID and a System Control Icon (clicking on this allows you to log off, restart, etc.)
You should have received a User ID to enter into the Login box and also an initial Password. You should change this to something personal that you can remember.
Use the Menu at the top change your password. Select System/Administration/Users and Groups.
Ignore the other options.
Follow these instructions to change your password:
- Around the Middle of the screen you should see “Password:
Asked on login” - Click the “Change…” button to the right of that.
- Enter the initial Password you were given in the “Current password” field, then your desired new password twice, once in both the “New password” and “Confirmation” text fields.
- Click OK.
Make sure there are no errors or issues. If there are, follow the instructions and try again. Once your password is successfully changed, you should use that one to login.
One of the best aspects of Cloud Computing is you can get at your stuff from anywhere. We recommend that you use DropBox or whatever separate cloud solution you prefer to store documents, settings, etc. By using a dedicated cloud drive the desktop is disposable, which is good as there is not support for the Desktop itself, nor any real or implied warranty or guarantee of continued service. You can use DropBox free of charge (subject to their limits, terms and conditions) to share documents in the cloud across many devices and operating systems Windows, Apple, Linux and even Smart Phones.
Making your commonly needed files available in the Cloud really helps you have what you need, when you need it, regardless of where you are. There are many solutions to having your files stored so that you can access them from any Cloud Connection Point. We have added to both Firefox and Chrome Browsers links to DropBox and Google Docs you can either log on or sign up by visiting the page bookmarks on your browse under the address bar and following the instructions.
You cannot download DropBox on your Free Cloud Desktop at this time. To use DropBox, Google Docs or any browser based service, simply sign up for an account or log in with your existing account. DropBox and Google Docs are free (for limited use), convenient, compatible and easy to use. The great thing about Cloud File Storage is that most are simply browser compatible such as DropBox, Google Docs, SugarSync, SkyDrive, Amazon Cloud Drive, etc. So, no matter what Cloud File Solution you choose, you can likely use it from your Free Cloud Desktop.
People are very concerned about security. Your Cloud Desktop uses a Linux OS, one of the most secure platforms in the world. To maker your computing experience as safe as practical, we have taken a very “closed door” approach to deploying these desktops. Much of security of technology is in its use. Being mindful about your use of your information and tools plays an essential part in being secure. If you have questions, simply ask.
Our Desktop Anywhere Technology is designed with Privacy in mind. Our Virtual Desktops are include 128 bit encryption inside the desktop browser window. That means that your surfing and activities are as very private regardless of the device and network you are using. It should be noted that no matter what device you use, including your desktop at home, there are programs and physical devices that enable simple technologies that can capture keyboard strokes, screen images, network intrusions and other criminal activities that are all too common. Just remember if the most well funded and largest organizations in the world have been breached, one must be diligent, especially about what one puts on a networked computer in the first place.
Your Virtual Desktop will help you do just that and use the Best Practice of Green Computing the more you align with Cloud Computing. Most printing of documents today is more of a bad habit and practice than a need. The great thing about the Cloud is that it is everywhere you need it, anytime you want it. And almost everywhere there is a device to connect to it. More and more you can see, save and send information everywhere you are.
We recommend you use simple Internet email if you have it. Evolution emails is also installed if you would like to use something more robust.
The key combination ctrl-alt-m will minimize the Cloud Desktop Screen and alt-tab and should get you to your hardware desktop.
Moving your Bookmarks into the Cloud is a great way to increase efficiency. One of the great things about the Cloud Desktop Model is that you can use a your secure and encrypted Free Cloud Desktop on any machine and keep your information to yourself. Simply use the Sync Tool for your favorite browser to make bookmarks (and other web surfing related data) available on all your desktops including your Desktop Anywhere Free Cloud Desktop. In addition to the Browser specific Sync Tools (Firefox, Chrome, etc.) there are generic services like xMarks that also will work.
