screen has been voted for by many. Nobody has mentioned Windows remote desktop connection. Having used screen (and nohup) for years, I think I still like remote desktop better. Just make sure the remote Windows box is a reliable one, such as a production server, preferably on the side of the UNIX/Linux box you'll be working on, and of course you have putty.exe on it. When your local computer is disconnected from the Windows server accidentally (or intentionally, by closing the window or killing the mstsc process), just wait till the network is available and re-connect to the Windows box. Occasionally you have to go to Terminal Services Manager to attach to your previous session but most of the time it's automatic. If screen crashes, you have to remember to clean the sockets. And screen messes up either shell or putty window setting but I don't remember. For double insurance, use both remote desktop and screen. But I haven't had that need. Yong Huang -- //www.freelists.org/webpage/oracle-l