MWSF: Connectix Doubletalkin’ on the Mac

Connectix, which unveiled Virtual PC 4.0 last month is unveiling DoubleTalk today at Macworld San Francisco.

DoubleTalk is a software application that lets users access Windows networks from their Mac. This new product is designed for the Mac user who has little or no Windows knowledge, but needs to share resources, such as file servers or printers on a Windows based network, according to Mitchell Cipriano, Connectix’s vice president of marketing,

“DoubleTalk does the impossible, it gives Mac users access to Windows networks,” Cipriano added. “Because it is so easy to use, DoubleTalk actually makes a Mac a better Windows client than a PC.”

DoubleTalk lets you access Windows fileservers, transfer files to and from shared Windows workstations over the network and print to shared PC-based PostScript printers. Since it’s designed for Mac users, it “assumes” no PC networking knowledge.

“The DoubleTalk Setup Assistant makes configuration quick and easy in the familiar Mac environment,” said Cipriano. “It automatically configures its network settings, then DoubleTalk allows easy access to network resources through the tools Mac users already know, such as the Chooser.”

What’s more, DoubleTalk makes it easy for Mac users and Windows users to create peer-to-peer workgroups to transfer files and share printers, making DoubleTalk an ideal small office/home office (SOHO) solution, he added. Finally, it provides an enhanced print queue with more detailed printer and print info. Cipriano said DoubleTalk increases performance of Mac laser printers; by using the DoubleTalk print mechanism, printing will be up to 50 percent faster than when using the Mac OS alone.

It’s available now from the Connectix online store at a price of US$99. System requirements are a Power Mac G3 or G4, Mac OS 8.1 or later, 24MB of RAM, 5MB of disk space, a CD-ROM drive. You must have AppleTalk enabled and AppleShare Client is needed for Mac OS 8.1.