THE FINAL PIECE of Miramar Systems' cross-platform puzzle comes with the latest release of the company's Personal MACLAN Connect networking software. Version 5.0 now lets Windows-based PCs mount Mac-network volumes and print to AppleTalk printers over a variety of PC networks, just as the previous version allowed Macs to do with PC drives and printers over AppleTalk.
As a peer-to-peer networking program, Personal MACLAN Connect allows file and print sharing between Windows-based PCs and Macs, without a server. The program runs only under Windows and connects to Macs via AppleTalk. New to version 5.0 is the Windows AppleShare client software, which lets Windows-based PCs access AppleTalk services. An AppleShare button lets PC users assign a Windows-drive letter, such as E:, to a Mac-network volume. To Windows 3.1 users, long Mac filenames and folder names appear truncated in standard DOS 8.3 format. However, Windows users can view complete filenames and folder names, as well as icons, by choosing the File Properties option in Windows File Manager. In addition, the new print-client software lets Windows machines print to AppleTalk printers, using standard Windows drivers.
Personal MACLAN's AppleTalk implementation uses Miramar's new Windows 32-bit Virtual Device Driver, which is both fast and memory-efficient. Personal MACLAN also supports Windows ODI and NDIS network drivers, which allow PCs to run on multiple networks simultaneously. That means you don't have to remove the PC from a Windows for Workgroups, NetWare, or other PC network in order to connect it to your AppleTalk network.
When Personal MACLAN is installed on Windows machines, it's so well designed that users don't realize they're accessing a foreign system. Windows users access Mac shared folders through the File Manager in Windows 3.1 or the Explorer in Windows 95. Mac users have it even easier -- they access PC directories and printers via the familiar Chooser.
Personal MACLAN's File Server software uses standard AppleShare network privileges, including passwords and lockouts. PC users set access controls for all or part of their PC's hard disks, using Personal MACLAN's Console. The Print Server software allows Mac users to print to any PostScript printer available to a PC, including those attached directly to the PC or to a PC network. Print Server also spools print jobs from Mac as well as PC users. Mac users can also print to non-PostScript PC printers if they have a printer-language translator, such as GDT's PowerPrint software. Our only complaint is that file and print sharing, as well as client and server tasks, are each in a separate window.
The Bottom Line
Personal MACLAN Connect 5.0 is perfect for small businesses and workgroups that want to share files, CD-ROM drives, tape drives, and printers among networked PCs and Macs. Priced at an affordable $199 for each PC, it's simply the best AppleTalk-for-Windows product you can buy.
Personal MACLAN Connec 5.0
Rating: (4.5 out of 5 mice) Very Good/Outstanding
Price: $199 (list).
Pros: Affordable full bidirectional file and print sharing for mixed Mac/PC networks. Fast, memory-efficient driver. Supports Windows ODI and NDIS network drivers.
Cons: Separate windows for file sharing and print sharing, as well as for client tasks and server tasks.
Company: Miramar Systems, Santa Barbara, CA; 800-862-2526 or 805-966-2432.
Reader Service: Circle #403.
Full bidirectional file and print sharing for networks with PCs and Macs is Personal MACLAN Connect 5.0's forte.
