OCTADE
@octade@soc.octade.net
SSH can use SSHFS to allow access to remote folders natively inside the OS file manager (Caja, Nautilus, PCManFM, Dolphin, etc.) Thus it is easy to mirror file folders or upload encrypted files to the VPS just by dragging with the mouse or doing a copy via CLI.
SSH can be configured to use with a VNC viewer to run a graphical desktop to control a remote machine. The user can set up a VPS as a graphical desktop system and log in to a window manager or desktop environment such as XFCE or FluxBox.
SSH can also be used to pipe remote mail folders to a local mbox folder so that a local email client can read mail without accessing the POP/IMAP server.
I would try to search for:
SSH + VNC X11 Desktop forwarding
SSH + SSHFS local file browser