Timbuktu (software)

Infobox_Software
name = Timbuktu


caption =
developer = Motorola
latest_release_version = 8.7
latest_release_date = October, 2007
operating_system = Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows
genre = Remote control software
license = Proprietary
website = http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/

Timbuktu is a remote control software product developed by Motorola. Remote control software allows a user to control another computer across the local network or the Internet, viewing its screen and using its keyboard and mouse as if he or she were sitting in front of it. Timbuktu is compatible with computers running both Mac OS X and Windows.

Timbuktu was first developed in the late 1980s as a Macintosh product by Farallon Computing and a version was later developed to run on Microsoft Windows. Farallon was renamed Netopia in 1999 and the company was acquired by Motorola in February 2007. [Cite press release |url=http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail.jsp?globalObjectId=7695_7624_23&page=archive |title=Motorola Completes Acquisition of Netopia, Inc. |date=2007-02-07 |accessdate=2007-11-02 |publisher=Motorola, Inc.] Timbuktu is currently the only commercial non-VNC-based remote control software which has both a server and client running on both platforms (the open-source Virtual Network Computing protocol also has implementations on both platforms, from separate vendors). Timbuktu's primary function is remote control, and the application has support for various remote-control features such as multiple displays, screen-scaling, remote screen lockout and keyboard lockout, clipboard synchronization and "on the fly" color-depth reduction for enhanced speed.

In addition to the remote control features (screen-sharing), Timbuktu also allows for file transfers, system profiling, voice and text chat, and remote activity notifications. Timbuktu versions 5.1 and earlier initiate connections over UDP port 407, though versions 5.2 and later use TCP port 407. [Cite web |url=http://www.netopia.com/support/software/technotes/timbuktu/mac/TPM_031.html |title=Firewall Issues |accessdate=2007-11-02 |publisher=Netopia, Inc.] [Cite web |title=How to connect to a system behind a router running Network Address Translation (NAT) |url=http://www.netopia.com/support/software/how2docs/win/nat.html |accessate=2007-11-02 |publisher=Netopia, Inc.] The program has integrated support for Secure Shell (ssh) tunneling for those who require additional security. Both the Mac and Windows versions can use a standalone user database or integrate with the respective platform's "standard" user database (OpenDirectory on the Mac, and Active Directory or NT Users on Windows). The 8.6 version, released in March of 2006, added an optional integration with Skype to enable a user to remote-control any of their Skype contacts who have Timbuktu installed. The 8.6 Mac version is also a Universal Binary supporting both Intel and PowerPC-based Macs.Cite web |accessdate=2007-10-31 |url=http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/mac/latestnews.html |title=What's New in Timbuktu Pro for Macintosh? |publisher=Netopia, Inc. |date=October 2007] The 8.7 version, released in October 2007, added support for Mac OS X v10.5.

ee also

* Comparison of remote desktop software

References

External links

* [http://www.netopia.com/software/products/tb2/ Timbuktu home page]
* [http://www.macworld.com/2005/10/reviews/timbuktupro85/index.php Macworld review of Timbuktu]
* [http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,50025,00.html Timbuktu helps catch a computer thief] - Wired News