For nearly twenty years, Timbuktu Pro for Mac OS has been the standard for remote control on the Mac OS. With its simple setup, intuitive, user-friendly interface, and multiple security options, Timbuktu Pro for Macintosh is the best remote control choice for your home, classroom or small business. With Timbuktu Pro, you can view the screen of a remote computer, or share your screen with one or many remote computers to collaborate, teach or provide technical support. Use your mouse and keyboard to operate distant computers as if you were sitting right in front of them, send large files without tying up email, and communicate by intercom, text chat or instant message.
Cross platform off site admin tool unequaled by alternates tested. Also, security for network is maintained and use of built is SSL is a super plus. One con mentions firewalls access ... << read bottom line below >>
Cons
The Win / System 7 version; 9.0.4 is still a bit buggy.
Summary
Firewall access ... as a network administrator / Owner ... I am scared to death of any product that allows non firewall AND non administrator access and setup.
Wonderful support too.
quattleb
Pros
TB2 works across platform and around the world. Does not depend on MobileMe accounts and seems more responsive than Apple Remote Desktop.
Cons
Big con: Time needed to fix the recent modifier keys when clicking problem. Slow support. And I have a new minor problem with 8.8.2 - many times when connected to a remote computer and I press my CMD key the remote computer produces a BOINK sound
Summary
Biggest plus is the cross platform abilities and the speed.
Just works!
mhkoury
Pros
Not as flakey as VNC
Cons
Generally dated looking
Summary
Can?t do without it.
A solid product.
JHardy
Pros
TB2 has been a solid product for years and an essential component of maintaining my web sites. It is constantly being updated and improved and just keeps getting better.
Cons
None that I can think of.
Summary
What happened to all of the version tracker reviews?
jgaltUSA
Pros
None - Timbuktu was once the best but now it's not.
Cons
It cannot get through firewalls without programming your router for each client. iChat can, Teamviewer can, why not Timbuktu?
Summary
The company that bought it from Netopia (Motorola) seems to have abandoned this product. They have not made any significant updates in over 5 years and their tech support does not seem to have a clue how to troubleshoot problems with it.
Take a look at teamviewer.com. It also has a decent iPhone app that you can use to control your computers remotely.
Almost a year and still no version 8.8.1
cogden
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />...so under Snow Leopard, NO modifier keys with mouse clicks (eg, no "right clicks" with trackpad or single btn mouse so can't open a package in Finder, access any ctrl-click properties, etc.; no command clicks in the title of a Finder window to see a file/folders path; no cmd-option when dragging file in Finder to create an alias, etc. etc.)
Been using Timbukut since version 1.0 in mixed environment. Very hard to do tech support without mouse-modifier keys working. Waiting almost a year now. Sigh.
Good App, but Crummy Company
jreffner
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />Well, every time there is an update they never post the link on their site. I have to call and request it. The guy on the phone was nice and cooperative, but prior to his answer the recording told me how I couldn't speak with a person without purchasing support. Naturally, all this did was annoy me further. This is such poor service.
Also, why is the Mac version serialized, but the PC version isn't? Mac uses are dishonest, and the PC users aren't?
What about that there still isn't a Vista compatible version availble after over a year?! Yeah, 8.6 sorta runs (32 bit only), but you can uninstall it, and you have to change a bunch of stuff in Vista to get it to work. Oh, and 8.6.6 doesn't work, you have to use 8.6.0 and only that exact version. Pretty sad....
Like I said in the title, the software is great. The management of the company is obviously lacking.
Oh yeah, to save others the trouble of calling, here is a link to 8.7.1. I hope it saves you the frustration.
ftp://ftp-xo.netopia.com/products/timbuktu/mac/871/TimbuktuPro871.dmg
Great Product BUT does not work on INTEL macs
mike cee
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I've been using TB2 v.7 and (now) v8.x for a couple years.
It's a great way to securely troubleshoot or help the non-computer inclined remotely.
Seriously needs to have a version that will work on the Intel based Macs, though. During this Appke transition, we can expect a few extra requests for computer support and TB2 is necessary.
Still the best remote control, by far
artful38
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I've tried several flavors of VNC and Apple's Remote Desktop, and Timbuktu's remote control is faster and more stable. I've used it to control servers around the country and to access my own machine at home when I am on the road. Timbuktu seems especially good over slower connections and it is easy to customize it to run over various ports (good if you have a router). It also has much better security then any other the others (built-in SSH is nice).
My only complain is, yeah, it is expensive, but if you use remote control frequently for real world work, there's no substitute.
5 stars for Ver 7.03
etgeek
Pros
Cons
Summary
This review was originally posted on VersionTracker.com.<br />I would sometimes have a kernel panic with 7.0.0, but so far (about of month,
several hours a day) this latest version is solid. The companion version 7 for the PC also solved some freezing problems. One problem I still have is from Mac to PC. I control 6 PC's from my Mac and 4 never show the curser arrow when I login. To make the arrow visible, i need to click on the edge of the PC folder. I can locate the edge by dragging the curser with button down, then click on the edge. Tried a many different settings, No fix found. Netopia had no ideas. Anyone else
have this happen when controlling from a Mac to a PC?
Please comment.
