Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr11/mbug9307.zip/LAPLINK.TXT

Text File | 1993-07-01 | 6KB | 107 lines

LapLink V

Software review by Lee Keely

My uses for LapLink are those associated with a partnership using
two desktops at different homes and one Laptop which is used by
either partner when travelling.  Specific files on the two desktops
are identical and updated daily through Prodigy.  These files are
transferred to the laptop when preparing for travel.  The traveller
continues to do daily updates with the laptop while on the road.
Upon return, laptop files are then used to update the traveller's
desktop.

Since Traveling Software first introduced LapLink in 1986, the name
has become synonymous with file transfer.  There have been several
versions of LapLink, each of which has improved on transfer speed,
functionality and ease of use.  LapLink Pro, released in Oct. 1991,
permitted file transfer over serial cable, parallel cable and
modem.  Laplink is not designed to provide remote control over
another computer's programs.

LapLink V adds peer-to-peer transfer over a network, including
wireless connections, enhanced automation, Windows background file
transfer <and more>.  SmartXchange adds a set of features that
provide the ability to automate any file transfer task, eliminating
the need to go through a multi-step process to reconcile files on
two computers.  It provides one-button functions including Refresh
Directory, Synchronize and Clone Directory--all designed to
expedite tedious file transfer tasks.  For example, the Synchronize
function makes files in two directories identical.  By comparing
date and time stamps, this bi-directional operation automatically
updates older files and replaces them with the newer files.  In
addition to providing one-button functions, SmartXchange can
schedule file transfers to occur completely unattended.  The
Schedule Playbacks feature combined with LapLink V's Recorder
provide this capability.  The Recorder memorizes any file transfer
routine and will play it back later at any given time.

               CABLE CONNECTION DESKTOP TO LAPTOP

LLV comes with two 8' cables: serial and parallel.  The serial
cable has both 9-pin and 25-pin connectors.  The LLV display is
excellent and easy to learn.  Files may be copied, moved, deleted
by either machine.  It is very flexible and very fast.  You can
manually direct the transfer of files, directories and full disks,
if desired.  Once the cables are connected, manual keystroke file
manipulation is very rapid.  However, automatic transfer is the
goal; my thoughts on automatic transfer are below.

                    MODEM TO ANOTHER COMPUTER

LLV has a Remote Install feature that works over modem as well as
serial cable.  I followed the procedures outlined in the manual
with at least 5 other members of MBUG operating on their computers,
which varied from an XT with 2400 baud modem to a 486/66 with
14,400 baud modem.  We were never able to accomplish the remote
install successfully.  After at least 5 hours trying to install
remotely, I abandoned the effort.

After installing LLV on another computer using floppy disks, we
attempted to accomplish file transfer.  Communication was
established, but the controlling computer would always lock-up when
reading the directory of the other computer.

I contacted Travelling Software and received a rapid response from
their technicians.  They appear to offer excellent support and have
a strong desire to solve problems.  They told me they had a known
problem interfacing with the Gateway modem which was on the remote
computer.  They are sending a copy of LL Pro, the previous version,
to help with my continuing review.

                           CONCLUSIONS

After hours of working with LLV, I concluded that the real value of
LLV lies in cloning directories along with sub-directories such as
one might do when transferring very large or very many files from
one computer to another (including full backup to another disk).
Or, if a person needed to transfer a large volume of files before
a trip.  To automate the file updating takes patience.  There is a
tradeoff between time to set up and modify recordings (macros) vs.
the time saved by rapid transfer.  My requirements are for updating
about 2MB of files.  Setting up SmartXchange to update these files
automatically is no easy task.  The recording process must be done
absolutely correctly or it needs to be repeated.  Furthermore, LLV
is difficult to install for modem transfer and has limited
capabilities compared to programs which allow you to actually
operate another computer as well as transfer files.

My current procedure for updating files is to use a batch file to
zip to a 3.5" floppy, then unzip to the other computer.  It is easy
to edit the batch files as requirements change.  In comparison,
once LLV is connected and the recording is perfect, the file
transfer is much faster; but any changes in files to transfer take
excess time to automate.

This is a niche product which may be very vauable for unique
applications, such as networking where you want to update all
distributed files in a convenient way or need to frequently copy a
large number of files.  However, for the single user,
Desktop/Portable combination, there are better solutions to the
problem.

LLV is produced by Travelling Software, Inc., 18702 N. Creek
Parkway, Bothell, WA 98011.  Call 1-800-343-8080 for Customer
Service.  List price for the single-user version including cables
is $169.95.