Transferring Computer Files From Afar No Longer Such a Remote Idea
LapLink has been part of my trove of computing tools ever since the product debuted in the early 1980s. Then, its only function was to transfer files from one computer to another via cable. As its name implies, it was mainly used to connect laptop PCs to desktop PCs.
The product, from Traveling Software (https://www.travsoft.com), has evolved over the years and also can be used to transfer files or remotely operate a computer via the Internet.
This is particularly useful if you’re on the road and need to access a file on your office computer, or if you need to run a piece of software on your office machine that isn’t installed on your laptop. It also can be used if you have branch offices that need access to computer resources at the main location. You can even use it to redirect a file to a remote printer so, for example, you could be working at home but printing files on the laser printer at the office for others to use.
The ability to transfer files between computers in the same room may not be as exciting as operating your office computer from halfway around the world, but it can be extremely useful, especially if the machines at your office aren’t connected by a local area network. It’s not uncommon for people working in the same office to need access to the same files. Ideally, the machines should be on a network that makes the transfer fast and easy, but if they’re not, LapLink is a reasonable alternative.
Optional USB Cable Speeds Up LapLink
Like previous versions, the newest version of LapLink Professional ($149) lets you link two machines via a slow serial cable and a reasonably fast parallel cable but now supports an optional USB (universal serial bus) cable. The USB cable, which costs an extra $39.99, lets you transfer files at a lightning speed of up to 6 megabits per second, which is about five times faster than using a parallel cable and about 60% as fast as a standard office network.
To use the USB cable, both machines must have a USB port (standard on most machines built recently) and both must be running Windows 98. There is no version for Mac users, but Mac users really don’t need a product like this because it’s just as easy (and even cheaper) to connect Macs together via a local area network.
LapLink’s license agreement states that you can use the software on up to three computers (i.e. office, laptop and home) used exclusively by one person. If you wish to connect to a computer used by another person, both machines are supposed to have licensed copies of the software.
LapLink can be configured in a number of ways to speed the transfer of files between machines. By default, it transfers files only if they are newer than a version on the receiving machine. That way if you’ve changed one or two files in a directory, you can copy the entire directory but only the files that have changed will be copied.
The product also has “SpeedSync,” which means that if a file has changed it can save time by copying only the newer portions of the file. Finally, it compresses files as they are copied and decompresses them when they are received, which can have a big effect on performance.
Remote Machine Controls the ‘Host’
The remote-control feature in the product, though not unique, is quite remarkable. To use the feature, you have to have LapLink running on both computers. The “host” computer (the one you will access from afar) must be configured to allow a guest to sign in. You can make it available to anyone, but you’ll probably want to limit access to yourself or users in your office who have a user name and a password. You can connect to the PC from anywhere in the world by dialing into the Internet and entering the machine’s IP (Internet protocol) address.
Once connected, the remote machine has complete control over the host machine. You can not only transfer files between the two, but you can run software on the host machine that isn’t on the remote system. In addition to being useful when you’re on the road, it’s also a way to access the office machine from home. You can, for example, check your office e-mail by running the e-mail program on your office machine. You can even surf the Web using your office’s Internet connection or access files on your office’s local area network.
The performance of a remote session connection depends, in part, on the Internet connection speed of both machines. If either is connected via a standard modem, you’re going to notice considerable speed degradation. It’s not a great way to run software on a routine basis but, rather, if you suddenly--or occasionally--find yourself needing access to software that you don’t have on the remote system.
What amazed me about LapLink Professional was how easy it was to make the remote Internet connection between my desktop and laptop PC. I always brace myself for a major hassle when it comes to setting up anything on the Internet, but this was trouble-free and fast. I was transferring files within seconds.
PCAnywhere, made by Symantec (https://www.symantec.com), performs many of the same functions as LapLink but, though it has a friendlier interface, I found it a bit more difficult to configure.
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Lawrence J. Magid can be reached via e-mail at larry.magid@latimes .com, or visit his Web site at https://www.larrysworld.com. On AOL, use keyword “LarryMagid.”
