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From: limhl@hpsgm2.sgp.hp.com (Hui Lin Lim)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Re: Zero Slot LANs query
Message-ID: <3860004@hpsgm2.sgp.hp.com>
Date: 13 Sep 90 05:28:07 GMT
References: <3860002@hpsgm2.sgp.hp.com>
Organization: HP Singapore
Lines: 45

Well I just bought a copy of $25 Network and investigated LantasticZ.
Turns out that LantasticZ is probably a more "friendly" package in
that it doesn't require drivers to be installed supports NETBIOS, will
support modem connections etc.  Unfortunately it costs ~$200.  $25
Network is reasonably easy to use although the manual is oriented
towards more technical users.

rreiner@yunexus.YorkU.CA (Richard Reiner) writes:
> zlraa@iceman.jcu.oz (Ross Alford) writes:
> 
> >I have experimented with these and found them a pain if all you want is
> >to transfer files.  They require device drivers, etc installed on both
> >machines, and also usually want both machines to be running the same version
> >of DOS.
> 
> True, The $25 Network requires device drivers to be installed at both
> ends, and it does require that you be running the same *major*
> revision of MessDOS at both ends (i.e. 3.3 is OK with 3.1, but not
> with 2.1).  However, it gives you more than your ZIP utility delivers:

I would like to add (although I haven't actually tried it) the
documentation says that you can use different versions of DOS except
that the older versions will be prevented from writing to the system
running the newer version.  This is also true for those people running
Compaq DOS 3.31.  I'm impressed that so much effort has been put into
the product to support all these odd cases.

> So I agree: if *all* you want to do is transfer files, and making one
> machine a slave is not a problem, don't bother with a zero-slot LAN.
> Otherwise, you can't beat The $25 Network.

Slight disagreement - all I want to do is transfer files.
Unfortunately in order to transfer some files on floppies you have to
'install' them first.  Eg. MS Word - I would have to install a version
tailored for my XE (on my desktop) then use LapLink to transfer it
rather than install it directly on the laptop.  Programs like Norton
Commander (I know I could use the link facility but that's a hassle
and my version never seems to use speeds >38400) which have directory
compare and copy features are also invaluable when transferring
files.

'Nuff said - I'm now a satisfied user of $25 Network and I'd like to
thank all those who recommended it.

HuiLin Lim