Emeryville, Calif.-based Netopia Inc. on Wednesday announced the release of Timbuktu Pro 8.5, a new version of its remote control software for Mac OS X. Timbuktu Pro requires Mac OS X v10.3 or later, 15MB disk space, 128MB RAM, TCP/IP-based networking and 56K or faster connection.
Timbuktu Pro 8.5 is available in boxed and downloadable versions for $99.95 and $94.95 respectively. The 8.5 release is a free update for registered 8.x users, and costs 50 less than the retail price for users of version 6 or 7. Updating from 8.x to 8.5 requires entering a serial number and activation key.
Timbuktu Pro lets network managers, system administrators and others remote control Mac systems over a network. You can share the screen of a single Mac with other users to collaborate, teach or provide tech support, send files, communicate by “intercom,” text chat and instant message.
New features in version 8.5 include full file access privileges on a user-by-user basis; “Help Desk Mode” that makes outgoing Timbuktu connections go away a “check for update” feature; enhanced security settings for TCP/IP, Bonjour and SSH; the ability to view multiple displays on a Mac 8.5 host; remote keyboard and screen blanking, improved remote screen and mouse control and faster high-speed network connection performance.