Labs

Timbuktu Pro is one of few remote-control products to support both Windows and Macintosh environments, and the price of the review product includes both options. Although file-transfer encryption isn't on offer, Timbuktu provides plenty of security alternatives, including a list of registered users maintained on each host, with each one assigned specific privileges. Guest access can also be implemented, so you may grant temporary access from the host.

You don't get a client or agent utility, so Timbuktu Pro must be installed on each host before it can be accessed. A network installer utility is available, although this is only able to push the software to Windows NT and 2000 systems and must be run from a Command Prompt. The main interface looks dated but is simple enough to understand and provides an address

The modest level of services provided by Timbuktu Pro will be sufficient for single users and small business, but make it less desirable as an enterprise-level support tool. Firing up remote control provides a single window to the host system and you can opt to control the system or passively view it. However, many useful features - such as remote reboot, sending keystroke combinations and annotation tools - are conspicuous by their absence. For the price, you'd also expect some form of web-browser access to be supported.

File transfer is also less well endowed - although you can use drag-and-drop to copy files, right-mouse-button actions aren't supported. We also found performance during the file copy tests unimpressive, with Timbuktu Pro lagging well behind the front runners.

Timbuktu Pro does at least offer a couple of unique features. A Notify option allows you to leave a request with another user to be informed when they become available, while a Send option allows files or folders to be attached to messages sent to a host.