Timbuktu (software)
Encyclopedia
Timbuktu is a remote control software product developed by WOS Datasystems. 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 WOS Datasystems and a version was later developed to run on Microsoft Windows
. WOS Data Systems was purchased by Farallon Computing in the 1990s. Farallon was renamed Netopia
in 1999 and the company was acquired by Motorola
in February 2007. 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. 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. Starting with the 8.6 version, Timbuktu has been released as a Universal Binary
supporting both Intel and PowerPC-based Macs. The 8.8 version, released in September 2009, added support for Mac OS X v10.6
, although the ability to receive clicks with modifier keys broke with the release of Mac OS X v10.6.3 (March 2010). Update 8.8.2, released November 2010, resolves the Control session mouse-click modifier key issues as well as Exchange connection performance issues.
Timbuktu for Windows v8.x is currently not compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008, and feature-wise it lags well behind the Mac client from the standpoint of acting as a remote client (host-wise, it's identical). Motorola announced in mid-2009 that Timbuktu v9.0 would be released for "early preview" in Q4 2009, featuring full Windows Vista/Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 compatibility for selected customers. Private beta testing of the 9.0 Windows version is ongoing as of the summer of 2010.
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
.
Timbuktu was first developed in the late 1980s as a Macintosh product by WOS Datasystems and a version was later developed to run on Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. WOS Data Systems was purchased by Farallon Computing in the 1990s. Farallon was renamed Netopia
Netopia
Netopia is a company, headquartered in Emeryville, California, that produces a variety of broadband products including modems, routers, gateways, and Wi-Fi devices. The company also produces the NBBS , as well as the Timbuktu remote administration software...
in 1999 and the company was acquired by Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
in February 2007. 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
Virtual Network Computing
In computing, Virtual Network Computing is a graphical desktop sharing system that uses the RFB protocol to remotely control another computer...
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
User Datagram Protocol
The User Datagram Protocol is one of the core members of the Internet Protocol Suite, the set of network protocols used for the Internet. With UDP, computer applications can send messages, in this case referred to as datagrams, to other hosts on an Internet Protocol network without requiring...
port
TCP and UDP port
In computer networking, a port is an application-specific or process-specific software construct serving as a communications endpoint in a computer's host operating system. A port is associated with an IP address of the host, as well as the type of protocol used for communication...
407, though versions 5.2 and later use TCP
Transmission Control Protocol
The Transmission Control Protocol is one of the core protocols of the Internet Protocol Suite. TCP is one of the two original components of the suite, complementing the Internet Protocol , and therefore the entire suite is commonly referred to as TCP/IP...
port 407. The program has integrated support for Secure Shell
Secure Shell
Secure Shell is a network protocol for secure data communication, remote shell services or command execution and other secure network services between two networked computers that it connects via a secure channel over an insecure network: a server and a client...
(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
Apple Open Directory
Apple Open Directory is the LDAP directory service model implementation from Apple Inc. A directory service is software which stores and organizes information about a computer network's users and network resources and which allows network administrators to manage users' access to the resources.In...
on the Mac, and Active Directory
Active Directory
Active Directory is a directory service created by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Server computers on which Active Directory is running are called domain controllers....
or NT Users on Windows). The 8.6 version, released in March of 2006, added an optional integration with Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
to enable a user to remote-control any of their Skype contacts who have Timbuktu installed. Starting with the 8.6 version, Timbuktu has been released as a Universal Binary
Universal binary
A universal binary is, in Apple parlance, an executable file or application bundle that runs natively on either PowerPC or Intel-manufactured IA-32 or Intel 64-based Macintosh computers; it is an implementation of the concept more generally known as a fat binary.With the release of Mac OS X Snow...
supporting both Intel and PowerPC-based Macs. The 8.8 version, released in September 2009, added support for Mac OS X v10.6
Mac OS X v10.6
Mac OS X Snow Leopard is the seventh major release of Mac OS X, Apple's desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers.Snow Leopard was publicly unveiled on June 8, 2009 at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference...
, although the ability to receive clicks with modifier keys broke with the release of Mac OS X v10.6.3 (March 2010). Update 8.8.2, released November 2010, resolves the Control session mouse-click modifier key issues as well as Exchange connection performance issues.
Timbuktu for Windows v8.x is currently not compatible with Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008, and feature-wise it lags well behind the Mac client from the standpoint of acting as a remote client (host-wise, it's identical). Motorola announced in mid-2009 that Timbuktu v9.0 would be released for "early preview" in Q4 2009, featuring full Windows Vista/Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 compatibility for selected customers. Private beta testing of the 9.0 Windows version is ongoing as of the summer of 2010.
External links
- Timbuktu home page
- Macworld review of Timbuktu
- Timbuktu helps catch a computer thief - Wired NewsWired NewsWired News is an online technology news website, formerly known as HotWired, that split off from Wired magazine when the magazine was purchased by Condé Nast Publishing in the 1990s. Wired News was owned by Lycos not long after the split, until Condé Nast purchased Wired News on July 11, 2006...