Newbie Question || What's the easiest way to remotely control my VB.NET program?

[LeisureProgrammer]

I started learning programming using VB.NET a few months ago, so I'm still like a total noob at this, and I'm not experienced enough with the Microsoft Visual Basic Library to get my answer. I have done some Google searches, and still haven't found any relevant answers.

Okay, suppose I want make a VB.NET desktop app. that displays the number "1" in a textbox when a button is pressed... I can easily make that program, but what if I want the program to, on my remote command, display the number "2" instead when the button is pressed?

Is it possible to write code that reads gmail messages? I know that gmail is pretty open about it's SMTP and POP ports and stuff... (sorry, didn't learn much about e-mail yet )

If it is, then it might be possible to; make it check a g-mail account every 10 minutes (timer), and if there is a new message in that account with the subject "now", then display the number "2" in the textbox whenever the button is pressed...

Or... I could get a text file hosted somewhere on the web, then get a timer to read the text file every now and then.
Which would be easier? Where would I find sample code to read an e-mail or a text file which is on a web server?

If that's not the easiest way to remotely control a VB.NET program, what is?
Do you suggest I learn more about chatting applications and use one as a template? They're a bit complicated for beginners though, right?

It would be great if two or more programs can "listen" to the same "source"...
My eventual goal is to get armies of my software on different comps. all doing something together on my command

Thank you in advance