LapLink V Software review by Lee Keely My uses for LapLink are those associated with a partnership using two desktops at different homes and one Laptop which is used by either partner when travelling. Specific files on the two desktops are identical and updated daily through Prodigy. These files are transferred to the laptop when preparing for travel. The traveller continues to do daily updates with the laptop while on the road. Upon return, laptop files are then used to update the traveller's desktop. Since Traveling Software first introduced LapLink in 1986, the name has become synonymous with file transfer. There have been several versions of LapLink, each of which has improved on transfer speed, functionality and ease of use. LapLink Pro, released in Oct. 1991, permitted file transfer over serial cable, parallel cable and modem. Laplink is not designed to provide remote control over another computer's programs. LapLink V adds peer-to-peer transfer over a network, including wireless connections, enhanced automation, Windows background file transfer . SmartXchange adds a set of features that provide the ability to automate any file transfer task, eliminating the need to go through a multi-step process to reconcile files on two computers. It provides one-button functions including Refresh Directory, Synchronize and Clone Directory--all designed to expedite tedious file transfer tasks. For example, the Synchronize function makes files in two directories identical. By comparing date and time stamps, this bi-directional operation automatically updates older files and replaces them with the newer files. In addition to providing one-button functions, SmartXchange can schedule file transfers to occur completely unattended. The Schedule Playbacks feature combined with LapLink V's Recorder provide this capability. The Recorder memorizes any file transfer routine and will play it back later at any given time. CABLE CONNECTION DESKTOP TO LAPTOP LLV comes with two 8' cables: serial and parallel. The serial cable has both 9-pin and 25-pin connectors. The LLV display is excellent and easy to learn. Files may be copied, moved, deleted by either machine. It is very flexible and very fast. You can manually direct the transfer of files, directories and full disks, if desired. Once the cables are connected, manual keystroke file manipulation is very rapid. However, automatic transfer is the goal; my thoughts on automatic transfer are below. MODEM TO ANOTHER COMPUTER LLV has a Remote Install feature that works over modem as well as serial cable. I followed the procedures outlined in the manual with at least 5 other members of MBUG operating on their computers, which varied from an XT with 2400 baud modem to a 486/66 with 14,400 baud modem. We were never able to accomplish the remote install successfully. After at least 5 hours trying to install remotely, I abandoned the effort. After installing LLV on another computer using floppy disks, we attempted to accomplish file transfer. Communication was established, but the controlling computer would always lock-up when reading the directory of the other computer. I contacted Travelling Software and received a rapid response from their technicians. They appear to offer excellent support and have a strong desire to solve problems. They told me they had a known problem interfacing with the Gateway modem which was on the remote computer. They are sending a copy of LL Pro, the previous version, to help with my continuing review. CONCLUSIONS After hours of working with LLV, I concluded that the real value of LLV lies in cloning directories along with sub-directories such as one might do when transferring very large or very many files from one computer to another (including full backup to another disk). Or, if a person needed to transfer a large volume of files before a trip. To automate the file updating takes patience. There is a tradeoff between time to set up and modify recordings (macros) vs. the time saved by rapid transfer. My requirements are for updating about 2MB of files. Setting up SmartXchange to update these files automatically is no easy task. The recording process must be done absolutely correctly or it needs to be repeated. Furthermore, LLV is difficult to install for modem transfer and has limited capabilities compared to programs which allow you to actually operate another computer as well as transfer files. My current procedure for updating files is to use a batch file to zip to a 3.5" floppy, then unzip to the other computer. It is easy to edit the batch files as requirements change. In comparison, once LLV is connected and the recording is perfect, the file transfer is much faster; but any changes in files to transfer take excess time to automate. This is a niche product which may be very vauable for unique applications, such as networking where you want to update all distributed files in a convenient way or need to frequently copy a large number of files. However, for the single user, Desktop/Portable combination, there are better solutions to the problem. LLV is produced by Travelling Software, Inc., 18702 N. Creek Parkway, Bothell, WA 98011. Call 1-800-343-8080 for Customer Service. List price for the single-user version including cables is $169.95.