Release Notes for Timbuktu Pro for Windows, version 8.0

February 2005
This document contains important information about Timbuktu Pro for Windows, version 8.0. If you have additional questions, consult the Timbuktu Pro online Help. You can also find Timbuktu Pro technical support information on the World Wide Web at

Contents of this File

1. WhatÆs New
2. Timbuktu Pro and Windows XP
3. System Requirements
4. General Warnings and Product Limitations
5. Installation Notes
6. Known Issues

WhatÆs New in Timbuktu Pro for Windows, version 8.0

Stream Encryption and Compression

Timbuktu Pro version 8 supports SSH to encrypt and compress Timbuktu Pro connections. When you begin a remote connection, you will have the option to select SSH encryption and enter the credentials that allow you to securely access the remote computer.

In addition to providing secure connections, SSH compression may increase Timbuktu Pro performance.

Enhanced Screen-Sharing Preferences

In Timbuktu Pro version 8, the Observe/Control tab in the Preferences window has been separated into two tabs: Observe/Control Host and Observe/Control Guest.

The two new tabs provide a number of new options, each of which may increase the performance or security of your screen-sharing sessions.

In addition, the screen-sharing windowÆs system menu has been expanded to include a number of new options. You can control settings for the screen-sharing window itself, or choose the Host Settings option to open a dialog box with many of the new guest computer screen-sharing options. With the Host Settings dialog box, you change your guest preferences on the fly, during an active screen-sharing session.

Extended Logging

The logging capabilities in Timbuktu Pro have been dramatically enhanced.

Timbuktu Pro now supports two different types of centralized logging for all the Timbuktu Pro computers on your network:

In addition, you may create an Event Log file, a text document which records the same information that Timbuktu Pro records in the Windows Application Event Log. The text file format allows you to easily search the log for events you wish to review.

You may also now specify the maximum size for your log files, and you may specify that certain configuration changes are recorded in the log files.

To set up your logging options, use the new Logging tab in the Preferences dialog box.

Single-Stream Connections

Timbuktu Pro now uses single-stream TCP connections by default. If you are running Timbuktu Pro through a firewall, you now need to open port 407 only. Service-specific ports are no longer required unless you are connecting to an older version of Timbuktu Pro.

MSI Installer

Timbuktu Pro now uses a Windows MSI installer with a user interface, which allows you to set certain options during installation.

Timbuktu Pro and Windows XP

When you run Timbuktu Pro on Windows XP Home, or Windows XP Professional in a workgroup setting, the MiniTB2 application is enabled by default. MiniTB2 is a small application that launches the full Timbuktu Pro when it detects an incoming connection. When two minutes of inactivity pass (there are no active connections and the main Timbuktu Pro window is closed), MiniTB2 shuts down Timbuktu Pro and returns to its initial state. When MiniTB2 is running, it does not display the Timbuktu Pro icon in the system tray on the taskbar.

When you start your computer and log in to Windows XP, Timbuktu Pro is launched normally. When Timbuktu Pro is launched, Windows XPÆs Fast User Switching is temporarily disabled. When 2 minutes of inactivity pass, MiniTB2 automatically shuts down the full Timbuktu Pro, leaving only MiniTB2 running and re-enabling Fast User Switching. The full Timbuktu Pro will reactivate itself automatically when an incoming Timbuktu Pro connection is detected, or if you manually relaunch it from the Start menu.

If you are using Windows XP Professional in a domain environment, Timbuktu Pro will run normally and MiniTB2 will not be used.

System Requirements

Timbuktu Pro version 8 has the following system and compatibility requirements.

Timbuktu Pro will function correctly on any Windows system that meets or exceeds MicrosoftÆs system hardware requirements.

General Warnings and Product Limitations

IMPORTANT NOTE: In rare cases, the installation of this product may conflict with other non-Microsoft software and leave your Windows system in an unbootable state. Practice ôsafe computingö by backing up before you install this or any other software on your computer.

Installation Notes

Known Issues

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