LapLink for Windows 95
Questions & Answers

Why are you referring to LapLink for Windows 95 as universal mobile access
vs. remote access?

Traveling Software has designed LapLink for Windows 95 for mobile
professionals who require more stringent criteria for their remote
computing. Mobile users need to work from everywhere without the need to
reconfigure their machine every time they change locations or method of
connection. 

Previously, mobile users needed a combination of several remote access
products to gain access to information. LapLink for Windows 95's 32-bit
design eliminates the frustration of having to buy, install, and learn
several diverse packages. 

LapLink provides integrated remote control, file transfer, chat and remote
networking (remote node) functionality in one product. This makes it
especially easy for anyone working at the office, home or while traveling
to connect to their desktops or network and access their client/server
applications like email, perform file transfers and access databases. 

What makes LapLink for Windows 95 better for mobile professionals than
competing products?

Providing access to all data and information on desktops or networks,
LapLink offers location independent dialing in a single solution. LapLink
gives mobile users the most complete range of connectivities needed for
working in the office or out of the office including: modem, Dial Up
Networking, infrared, high-speed cables and the Internet. All of these
connection methods are available without reconfiguring your system making
it easy for users to work in the same method in the office as they do out
of the office. Plus, LapLink's peer-to-peer architecture allows mobile
users to receive remote technical support over the same incoming line when
they have made a network connection. LapLink for Windows 95 makes it easy
to install, learn, use and receive support for a mobile professional. 

How is LapLink for Windows 95 different from LapLink for Windows? 

Although included in the LapLink for Windows 95 package, LapLink for
Windows is a 16-bit product, optimized to work between Windows 95, Windows
3.1 and DOS systems. The 16-bit LapLink doesn't take advantage of the new
communications features built into Windows 95. LapLink for Windows 95 is a
multi-threaded, 32-bit product designed specifically for Windows 95. This
version taps directly into the baseline communications features in Windows
95 and takes advantage of Windows 95 in four distinct ways by supporting
Dial Up Networking, TAPI, TCP/IP and conforming to the Win95 "look and
feel." It also takes full advantage of services and APIs in Windows 95 to
broaden users' communications options and enhance both usability and
performance. 

TAPI offers device management to avoid port contention making it possible
to have a FAX program and LapLink utilizing the same communications port.
TAPI also provides sophisticated dialing interfaces for mobile users. This
allows a user to integrate their LapLink Address Book with Windows 95's
TAPI functionality making it easy to store and quickly retrieve complete
dialing information. 

In a single connection, LapLink's integration with Dial Up Networking gives
users the ability to connect to their network over a remote communications
server and then remote control up to eleven multiple desktops. 

LapLink for Windows 95 also supports the Windows 95 TCP/IP stack. Support
for the top two networking protocols, TCP/IP and IPX, continue to make
LapLink a robust solution for any organization requiring a complete remote
access solution. 

Why would I need LapLink for Windows 95 when Windows 95 has remote
communications capabilities?

Windows 95 is designed as an operating system and offers basic
communication and remote access features. However, these basic
capabilities do not meet the demanding requirements of mobile
professionals. LapLink offers three distinct advantages when combined with
Windows 95. 

First, Windows 95 communicates only between Windows 95 systems making it
impossible to transfer information from a Windows 3.1 system when
upgrading. Second, Direct Cable Connect offered in Windows 95 is
complicated to configure and difficult to setup, limiting its appeal.
Third, Windows 95 only allows a remote node connection through a remote
communications server and doesn't offer remote control functionality which
is critical for anyone needing to access databases, customized
applications, etc. Direct modem access to another PC is only available by
purchasing an add-on package for Windows 95 called The Plus Pack. 

Is the new LapLink for Windows 95 compatible with LapLink for Windows 6.0?

Yes. The LapLink for Windows 95 offers backward compatibility to LapLink
for Windows. Because of the ongoing migration to Windows 95, our customers
need to communicate to Windows 3.1 systems. In fact, LapLink for Windows
is included in the LapLink for Windows 95 package. 

Why are you including the 16-bit version of LapLink for Windows in the
LapLink for Windows 95 package?

Traveling Software focuses on the needs of its customers. Corporations and
individuals alike have mixed environments and need to work between Windows
3.1 machines and Windows 95 machines. By offering a single solution with
the 16 and 32-bit products, customers receive an added advantage by
purchasing LapLink. Whether they're working on a Windows 95 system today,
or planning to in the future, they can purchase LapLink for Windows 95
with complete confidence in their purchasing decision. 

When did LapLink for Windows 95 become available?

LapLink for Windows 95 became available on January 29, 1996 

Do you offer special upgrade pricing to registered customers?

Yes, two upgrade offers are available to registered customers of Traveling
Software products The first offer is for registered users of LapLink for
Windows to purchase the LapLink for Windows 95 for $49.95 (U.S.). The
second offer allows registered users of LapLink V for DOS, CommWorks, or
LapLink Wireless to upgrade to the new version for $69.96 (U.S.). And for
a limited time, Traveling Software is offering a competitive upgrade for
$69.95 (U.S.) to anyone showing proof of purchase of another remote
control product. Customers can call Traveling Software Inside Sales at
1-800-343-8080 or (206) 483-8088 to place an order. 

Does Traveling Software offer volume licensing?

Traveling Software offers a flexible volume license program to provide the
most cost-effective way of licensing LapLink for Windows 95. A volume
license agreement provides substantial discounts on purchases for multiple
users. Call our sales office at (800) 343-8080 for more information. 

Who benefits the most from using the new version of LapLink?

LapLink was designed to offer one step mobile access to information for
mobile PC professionals using Windows 95. Anyone who needs to stay
'mobile' and have access to all their information and applications will
want a single solution that they can use while in the office, at home, at
remote branch offices or when traveling. LapLink for Windows 95 offers
that one step solution. So, if you use a portable or desktop computer from
home, while traveling or from a remote office, you'll want LapLink for
Windows 95. 

How do support technicians benefit from this version of LapLink?

As with LapLink for Windows, help desk, MIS, and other IT personnel can use
LapLink to offer technical support to any mobile worker. They can also use
LapLink when they are away from the office to remotely connect via remote
node over the LAN or WAN to connect to a user requiring tech support. And
because LapLink is the only remote access product that has bi-directional,
peer-to-peer architecture, support technicians can remote control a remote
user's machine back through the same incoming connection. This is
especially convenient for users who are connected over the Internet as it
can save the user and help desk significant savings. 

Is this 32-bit version faster than the 16-bit version of LapLink?

Yes. We've added many new remote control performance improvements which can
be turned on/off by the user. These include the ability to disable the
host machine's wallpaper; disable screen savers on the host; paint in
visible zoom mode when minimizing and restoring windows; and if using
Microsoft Windows 95 Plus Pack, the ability to remotely disable the "show
contents while dragging" feature. 

How much memory does LapLink for Windows 95 require?

LapLink for Windows 95 specifications recommend 8MB of RAM. Because LapLink
for Windows 95 loads dynamically, minimum memory is required until
services are engaged. LapLink uses a minimum of 1MB of RAM. If
simultaneously accessing remote control, file transfer, and chat it uses
2MB of RAM. 

Is the new version of LapLink compatible with Windows NT?

LapLink for Windows 95 is architectured specifically for Windows 95. There
are many differences between Windows 95 and Windows NT 32-bit
architecture. Therefore, we chose not to compromise the customer's needs
by delivering a less-than-robust Windows 95 product. We do plan to design
a "for Windows NT' package in the future. 

How does LapLink for Windows 95 work with the Internet?

LapLink allows mobile users to use the Internet to connect to another
LapLink user anywhere in the world. This makes 'universal mobile access' a
reality. With LapLink for Windows 95, mobile users can connect from
everywhere via a service provider and have access to their desktop,
network, home machine, or friend's machine running the 32-bit version of
LapLink. 

Who is most likely to use LapLink for Windows 95 over the Internet?

Because of the greater need for security and firewalls in corporations,
LapLink is most; likely to be used by technical support departments who
may connect to a user who is working remotely, or by individuals working
from 'independent' or standalone computers. One way to use LapLink over
the Internet is by connecting to a Winserve server which allows two
LapLink for Windows 95 users to connect to each other using a dynamic
TCP/IP address. This makes it easy to use LapLink as a collaborative work
tool; to share applications or games; a mechanism for chat - all for the
price of a local phone call. [Traveling Software offers a "Connecting Over
The Internet" white paper for more detail.] 

Does LapLink for Windows 95 support wireless or infrared transport?

Yes. LapLink for Windows 95 is the only mobile access application to
support the new Microsoft IRdA drivers. Most of the new portable and
desktop machines now have infrared devices built into the hardware. With
LapLink and an infrared-enabled machine (or an IRdA dongle for older
machines) you can line up your two IRdA machines within 3 feet of each
other and establish a connection. Once the connection is established you
have all of the features available in the product without the need for a
network, modem, or cable connection. 

Does LapLink for Windows 95 support the Enhanced Compatibility Port (ECP)
standard?

Yes. The DirectParallel Universal (ECP/EPP) cable (manufactured by Parallel
Technologies) provides the fastest file transfer rates (as much as 10
times faster than a parallel cable). One advantage of the ECP/EPP cable is
that it allows you to work between 4, 8 and 16-bit ports. However, it
provides the greatest speed enhancements when connected and enabled
between two Windows 95 ECP/EPP port machines. Often compared to Windows 95
Direct Cable Connect which is very difficult to setup, LapLink's superior
cable technology allows you to plug in a serial, parallel or ECP/EPP
Direct Parallel cable and immediately copy files. The DirectParallel
Universal cable is available for purchase from Traveling Software for
$69.95. 

Are the existing LapLink for Windows cables compatible with the new 32-bit
version?

Yes, both the serial and parallel cable are fully compatible with LapLink
for Windows 95.

Does the 32-bit version of LapLink support cellular and PCMCIA modems? V.34
modems?

Yes, LapLink's TAPI integration supports any modem compliant with Windows
95 which includes over 500 models. 

What TCP/IP stacks do you support?

We support the Windows 95 TCP/IP (Winsock) stack. We anticipate support for
additional vendors solutions as they are tested and required by our user
base. 

Do you support TCP/IP FTP protocols?

Not with this version. We are reviewing FTP support for future releases.

Do you support NASI and other modem pooling protocols?

Yes, there is inbound NASI support available in LapLink for Windows 95. 

Does this new version of LapLink offer remote printing?

Remote printing is a feature of Windows 95 Dial Up Networking. If a person
has the Windows 95 Plus Pack and is using LapLink connected through a Dial
Up Networking session they do have the benefit of remote printing.
However, this feature is not available in any other connection (cable,
modem-to-modem, etc.) in LapLink today. We'll continue to monitor our
customers and evaluate the need for this feature for future releases. 

Is LapLink for Windows a multiple threaded application?

Yes. LapLink is multiple threaded in key areas where threading offers users
the most performance gains. 

Does LapLink offer remote drive mapping?

Remote drive mapping is also available in Dial Up Networking. Therefore, a
customer using LapLink and connected through a Dial Up Networking session
can have the benefit of remote drive mapping. However, this feature is not
available in any other connection (cable, modem-to-modem, etc.) in LapLink
today. We will continue to monitor our customers and evaluate the need for
this feature for future releases. 

Can I still control a DOS PC from my Windows 95 PC?

LapLink for Windows 95 does provide full screen support for Windows 95 DOS.
LapLink also allows users to remote control to a machine running DOS
operating system by utilizing the optional DOS TSRs which come with the
16-bit version, LapLink for Windows. 

Does LapLink for Windows 95 support long file names?

Yes. LapLink offers drag and drop transfer of long file names between
Windows 95 systems. It also makes it easy to transfer files between
LapLink for Windows 95 and the 16-bit version of LapLink for Windows. When
transferring a long file name back to a 16-bit application, LapLink for
Windows 95 warns you of conflicts and gives you a choice of renaming the
files yourself or automatically truncating the long file name. 

Does LapLink for Windows 95 still have-your patented SpeedSync technology
in it?

Of course! Customers rely on our patented SpeedSync technology which
transfers only the changes made to a file. SpeedSync saves customers time
and money. In fact, you can save as much as 86 cents on every dollar of
connect time over a modem or Dial Up Networking connection. 

Does LapLink for Windows support scripting?

This version doesn't support scripting. 

Do you still have a remote install feature?

LapLink for Windows 95 doesn't include remote install. Our research
indicates that mobile users feel the remote install feature is rarely
used. 

Can I use or import my LapLink for Windows addresses into LapLink for
Windows 95's phone book?

Yes you can, but you need to edit the entries to phone numbers from
separate area codes. This makes it easy for previous uses of LapLink
products to carry their information forward to the new 32-bit version.

How many colors does LapLink for Windows 95 support?

LapLink for Windows 95 runs 16, 256, High Color (16-bit), or True Color
(32-bit). However, for optimum performance, only 16 colors are sent over
the remote control link. Future releases will support 256 color. 

How does LapLink's SmartXchange synchronization feature compare to
Microsoft Briefcase feature?

SmartXchange is Traveling Software's award-winning synchronization feature.
It provides users the ability to synchronize directories of any size with
complete, intuitive accuracy and is reliable and easy to use over any
connection method available in LapLink. Microsoft's Briefcase feature
doesn't synchronize directories, but offers individual file
synchronization. Briefcase can be difficult to use over a network
connection. However, to get the best of both, a user can use Briefcase to
synchronize several files from different folders and then use LapLink's
SpeedSync technology to quickly update files. 

How does LapLink's cable connectivity compare to Microsoft Direct Cable
Connect (DCC)?

LapLink for Windows 95 supports serial, parallel and the new ECP/EPP cables
between Windows 95, Windows 3.1 and DOS systems. LapLink instantly
recognizes any cable connection making it easy for the user to 'plug and
transfer' data. With DCC, the user must specify the type of connection
first. Unlike DCC, LapLink offers bi-directional file transfer whereas DCC
is a guest/host configuration allowing transfer in one direction and only
between Windows 95 machines. DCC is also a network model, so if a user
hasn't installed networking and shared resources on the host PC, DCC will
not work. 

How do you minimize the security risks with LapLink for Windows 95?

LapLink provides many levels of security. In addition to its own levels of
password security built into the program, you also have the security built
into a remote communications server when using the Windows 95 Dial Up
Networking connection feature in LapLink. LapLink also provides a
dial-back feature. And for those users who do not want to leave LapLink
constantly open on their desktop while awaiting a connection, a user-may
configure LapLink to engage-at the-time of logging into the - network. All
of these measures of security make using LapLink a secure remote
communications product. 

Does LapLink for Windows 95 work with other TAPI compliant applications?

Yes. LapLink takes full advantage of the TAPI component in Windows 95.
Because of this, LapLink is able to share the 'communication ports' with
other TAPI compliant applications. The benefit is that there is no
conflict when you have two communications applications like a fax program
and LapLink sharing one communication sport like there was in Windows 3.1
operating system. TAPI 'shares' the port and allows you to have both
applications running simultaneously accessing the port for either
application as needed. Additional benefits of TAPI integration provide
users with shared locations and dialing properties and support for Windows
95 Unimodem. 

Will you continue to sell LapLink for Windows (16-bit version) and LapLink
V for DOS?

Yes. Our sales channels indicate that there continues to be a need for
16-bit applications. While that need exists, LapLink for Windows and
LapLink V for DOS will be available for new customers who may only require
16-bit applications.

Are you planning new versions of your 16-bit products?

For now, we're focusing development on 32-bit products. Extensive research
indicates that customers are moving to 32-bit solutions for better
performance. Therefore, future development is focused on 32-bit platforms.


Are you planning to continue to sell LapLink Host?

LapLink Host combined with LapLink for Windows continues to provide a
valuable technical support solution to help desk, MIS, and other IT
departments. Support technicians needing to provide technical support in a
mixed environment will use this 16-bit combination of products to offer
the most reliable and cost-effective tech support solution for any user on
a DOS, Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 system. 

1/27/96

Traveling Software Inc
18702 North Creek Parkway
Bothell, WA 98011
206-483-8088
http://www.travsoft.com
 
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