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Communications Utilitieshere are very useful software package on the market to aid you in linking with remote PCs (or local ones over your in house LAN), sending in house instant messages (not through a service like Instant Messenger or MSN Messenger) synchronizing files among PCs and more. The two most prominent (and we believe useful) of these packages are LapLink Gold and PC Anywhere and we strongly suggest that an investment in either of those packages is worth the money. Both packages allow you to do important tasks like:
There are other neat utilities out there as well - to do things like turn your cell phone into an wireless Internet access device for your PC and more. So..looking for more communications functionality? Let's see what's out there. Some vendors offer more than one package in this category. We'll review them in table format within that vendor's detailed review.
Communications Utility Software ReviewCommunications Utilities and File Transfer Software* (Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)
* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Net Boost Pro is simple to install and begin using. Cost - $$$$ Net Boost Pro is priced at $19.99.
Time Savings - นนน1/2 We are moderately skeptical of connection accelerators. All they really do is things like packet size optimization and some basic route selection. They might help - they might not. Ease of Use - @@@@ Net Boost Pro is easy to set up and use. Works With - YYY Net Boost Pro is designed for the Windows environment only. Support - ppp 3B Software has a list of tech support topics to help answer your questions on their web site. If you need more help, email is your only option. Features - ii1/2 As above, use only if you have a dial-up connection and you need to optimize it (and you enjoy fiddling around with stuff like this!). Otherwise, just connect. Overall Rating - %%%+ Be skeptical too! If you can get it (and can afford it), a better strategy is a broadband connection.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน PC Remote and Internet EZ Search are easy to install and set up. Cost - $$$$ PC Remote is priced at $49.95, Internet EZ Search at $29.95.
Time Savings - นนนน Remote control and file transfer software like that from American Systems can be highly useful for home business owners. It can be used when you're on the road to get a file or read email on your main system, and as a method to back up system(s) if you have more than one PC in your house. Internet EZ Search lets you do an Internet search using more than one search engine at a time - a good time saver. Ease of Use - @@@@ PC Remote and Internet EZ Search are easy to set up and use.
PC Remote and Internet EZ Search are designed for the Windows environment only. Support - ppp1/2 American Systems provides email and phone support. Features - iii1/2 Not as full featured as its more expensive and well known competition (Laplink and PCAnywhere), PC Remote delivers the basic capabilities you'll need to send and receive files to a remote computer as well as control the system remotely. Internet EZ Search lets you search the web using multiple search engines at one time. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ If you just need the basics and cost is a major consideration, PC Remote from American Systems will perform the basic functions you'll need to transfer files between or remotely control another system over the Internet, by modem or serial port. Internet EZ Search is a nice tool if you do a lot of research on the web.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Avanquest's Connection Manager Pro, OnSpeed and Pocket Phone Tools 5 are simple to install and set up for use. Cost - $$$$ Connection Manager Pro is priced at $29.95, Pocket Phone Tools 5 Pro at $49.90, OnSpeed is $39.90.
Time Savings - นนนน Avanquest's Connection Manager saves time for business travelers using multiple network connections in multiple locations by saving profiles and connecting notebooks fast. Pocket Phone Tools Internet enables PDAs so you can use them as "mini laptops" on the road and OnSpeed uses compression to enhance the speed of your Internet connection. Ease of Use - @@@@ Connection Manager, OnSpeed and Pocket Phone Tools are simple to use.
Connection Manager, OnSpeed and Pocket Phone Tools are designed for the Windows environment. Support - pp You get what you pay for. Cheap software - expensive technical support. In fact, technical support, if you need to speak to a "live" body, will cost more than the software itself! $24.95 for the first 10 minutes (and how many tech support calls have you had resolve in 10 minutes or less?) and $2.95 per minute after that. And by the way, this is not an "800" number, you'll be paying long distance charges as well (unless you have one of those new "bundled" local and long distance packages from MCI, SBC or Verizon!). Finally, tech support is only available 7 AM to 4 PM Pacific Monday through Friday (with the exception of Wednesday when they close at 2 PM!). Basically, if you need help - throw out the software and kiss your $50 good-bye! Features - iii1/2+ Connection Manager Pro provides a way for notebook owners to connect to various networks without the hassle of setting them up each time. Additionally, it automatically sense available networks and remembers security, email and other setting information. Pocket Phone Tools turns a PDA into an Internet enabled device - even a cell phone with GPRSS Compact Flash or a PCMCIA card that supports voice. It also lets a PDA send and receive SMS messages. OnSpeed uses compression to enhance your Internet connection speed and includes a pop-up and ad blocker as well. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ Interesting tools for their purposes, we like Pocket Phone Tools for folks with PDAs that would like them to act more like smart phones.
Simple Start-Up - นนนน Wireless Network Ignition is very simple to install and set up. You'll begin managing your wireless home network quickly. Cost - $$$$ Wireless Network Ignition is priced at $29.95.
Time Savings - นนนน Wireless Network Ignition makes setting up and managing your home network much easier and faster. Ease of Use - @@@@ Simple screens, lots of "auto" functions make the software easy to use. Works With - YYY Wireless Network Ignition is designed for the Windows environment.
The tech support area of the Big Hammer web site includes downloads, a searchable knowledge base and a FAQ. If you need more help, email is your only option. Features - iii1/2 A simple tool that makes setting up and managing your wireless network very easy. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ If you don't want the hassle of managing your network and configuring your PC's, worth the $29.95.
$15 OFF Purchase of $49 or more! Save on all items at Broderbund.com, plus FREE shipping! Simple Start-Up - นนนน Broderbund's communications utilities are easy to set up and customize for use. The Network Now! Products are simple to install and use to set up your home network. Cost - $$$$ Pricing for Broderbund products is detailed in the table below.
Time Savings - นนนน Net Librarian saves time on Internet searches, Network Now! makes setting up and using a home network faster. Ease of Use - @@@@ Broderbund's Net Librarian is very simple to use to manage Internet searches. Network Now! products include a graphical representation of the network and simple drag and drop functionality to share files and devices.
Broderbund's software is designed for the Windows environment only. Support - pp1/2 When you purchase inexpensive software you shouldn't expect much in the way of technical support. Broderbund's implementation is a great example of this methodology. If you need help - the web is your only option. And, when we went there and attempted to find help for a couple of the software packages, one of them wasn't even listed! You'd better hope that the software works on your system, or you've just thrown your money away. Features - iii1/2+ Net Librarian lets you search the Internet faster and in a more organized way. Network Now! is easy to use software to help you set up your home network, share files, printers and your Internet connection as well as in the case of Network Now! Pro implements virtual drive and virtual back up capabilities as well. Overall Rating - %%%1/2+ For folks who do a lot of Internet-based research, Net Librarian can be a big help. However, the Network Now! products are our favorites. Set up your home network and keep it running smoothing - and easily!
Simple Start-Up - นนนน CA's PC MACLAN and Desktop DNA Migrator software is easy to install. Wizards take you through the set up process quickly. Cost - $$$$ Pricing for CA products is detailed in the table below.
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