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Software Vault: The Sapphire Collection
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REACHOUT
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1994-09-08
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Reach Out Remote Control Version 4.02
Pro Edition, Modem Version
by Don Pellegrino
"Reach Out Remote Control" is not your average communication
program. While it comes with the standard terminal application for
connection to Bulletin Board Systems - CompuServe, Delphi, and the
like, it offers much more. "Reach Out" gives the user the ability
to totally control a computer in the next room, office, or around
the world.
"Reach Out" is like a mini network between two systems that is
created by a modem connection. The first system, the one sitting in
front of you, is referred to as the "viewer" and the second system,
the one you wish was in front of you, is called the "host" system.
The viewer can transfer any file available to or from the host
system. It can run any application available on either system and
be used to demonstrate procedures on the host system to the host
user. "Reach Out" offers a very advanced security system.
Installation: Above Average Time Required: 13 minutes
The installation procedure is very simple and relatively fast.
Most of the time required was spent copying from the two floppies.
A minimal amount of technical information is required. The list of
pre-configured modems is huge. You don't have to waste time filling
in useless facts, such as the product serial number, as required by
many other software manufactures. At least 1 megabyte of disk space
is required by the program, but with mine fully installed, 5MB is
being consumed.
Documentation/Customer Support: Above Average
The User Manual is slightly repetitive and a little vague, but who
spends time reading the manual anyway? The package provides a handy
quick-start guide and the program is pretty straightforward. The
on-line help is great and specific to each and every function.
Ocean Isle has its own BBS, (407) 778-2407, and offers a technical
support fax, (407) 770-2533. CompuServe support is also supplied
via "GO OCEANISLE." The tech support phone line, (407) 770-4777, is
available 8:00 am to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday. My call to
customer support took 3 minutes of hold time but when I got through
the representative gave quick, knowledgeable answers.
Terminal Program: Below Average
"Reach Out" provides a terminal program specifically for
connecting to BBSs, CompuServe, Delphi, and the like under the
standard style of communication. It contains the bare minimum for
such an operation, is slow, and a bit buggy. My system is running a
14400 baud modem and I usually get about 1660 average cps
(characters-per-second). With RchTerm I only got about 1550 average
cps. The Windows version of RchTerm does not minimize during a
background file transfer. RchTerm Zmodem has had problems handling
errors and hung-up or locked-up during file transfers. RchTerm does
not contain any host program for a normal connection, and although
it has a script language, there is no learn utility as in Telix,
ProComm, CrossTalk, QModem, and various others.
Host and Viewer Programs: Above Average
The host and viewer systems which are the mainstay of "Reach
Out" are excellent. At 14400 bps the DOS text mode programs operate
at full speed. It's just like being there. The Windows programs
also run at an swift rate, as long as they don't contain complex
graphics such as wallpaper or detailed animation. Word Perfect,
File Manager, and Program Manager all executed with the same fluency
as if they were sitting in the 486 in front of you. The initial
connection to a host system can be slowed by the display of
wallpaper and the animation of CD-ROMs are quite sluggish. However,
there is no way around that with all data moving via modem. You
won't be able to play any action games with "Reach Out" but if you
need to edit a last minute document or bring up a spreadsheet in
either Windows or DOS this program is quite adept.
File Manager: Average
The "Reach Out" file manager is a very organized and simplified
way of transferring files to and from the host system. It's worst
point is that it is slow, on a connection of 14.4k I was only able
to achieve an average cps of 1100 which is more characteristic of a
9600 baud connection. It's greatest trait is that it offers the
ability to do background transfers allowing you to chat or operate
the host from the viewer without canceling or delaying the transfer.
Drive remapping is also possible with "Reach Out." This means that
you could install a program from your a: drive to the host's d:
drive.
Reliability: Average
I experienced some graphic errors on the viewer system after a
color animation was run on the host and received a few Windows
system errors now and then. When I tried to remove the "Reach Out"
TSR from the Windows DOS Shell, Windows crashed and I was left
permanently at the prompt. Despite that, the majority of operations
went smoothly.
Synopsis: It will get the job done with ease. Beyond that...?
"Reach Out" is very easy to learn and understand, yet it offers
many extra functions such as multilevel security and drive
remapping. It doesn't do anything extraordinary with graphic
programs or file transfer speed but it does do a great job with DOS
text and standard Windows.
Ocean Isle Software
1201 19th Place
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Phone: (407) 770-4777
Fax: (407) 770-4779
Suggested List Price: $199.00
Network Version List Price: $295.00