A method and system for remotely controlling a device via a computer network is provided. A client computer generates a client difference program indicative of a change of a state of the device last received from a server computer and transmits the same to the server computer. Upon receipt, the server computer executes the client difference program and determines an updated state of the device, generates control data indicative of the updated state of the device, provides the control data to the device, and generates and transmits a server difference program having encoded a difference between the state of the device and a state of the device last transmitted to the client computer. The client computer executes the server difference program for updating the state of the device last received from the server computer and for displaying the same in a human comprehensible fashion.