> Back in the old DOS days, I used to hook up a serial cable between two
> computers (even MAC and PC) to transfer files using a simple terminal
> communications program.  It was a little slow but it worked fine.  It
> worked just as if I was sending a file to a friend using a modem -
> except that the setup did not use any modem locally.
>
> So why cannot that still be done with windows OS's?  Every OS has
> Hyperlink (a simple terminal program).  Most PCs today can handle
> transfer rates of close to 115Kbps through their comm ports.  So if both
> PCs are hooked together with a simple serial cable, isn't that the
> cheapest way to transfer large amounts of data?
>

While it certainly may be possible, it's really not necessary.  Win9X
includes a program, "Direct Cable Connection" that performs exactly this
function.  It certainly is the cheapest way to connect to Win9X machines.
While, perhaps not as easy as programs such as Laplink, the cost can't be
beat and it is fairly simple, provided you follow the instructions found in
Windows online help facility. Basically--connect both PC's with a Parallel
or Serial Cable, setup PC-A as Host and PC-B as Guest.  - You must have File
and Printer sharing enabled on each PC, and the resources (files, folders or
disks) you want to copy must be marked "shared".  Additionally, I believe
you need to install the IPX network protocol to handle the transfer.  I have
used DCC several times without many headaches, but strongly recommend
following the Windows Help instructions to make sure both PC's are set up
correctly.

Dan Shaughnessy

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