Peer-to-Peer for Grown-Ups

Laplink's new ShareDirect offers a secure way for you to share files with coworkers-whether they are across the room or across the ocean.

ShareDirect is a combination application and service that offers a simple, Windows Explorer-based peer-to-peer method for sharing files between PCs running Windows 2000 or XP. By default, ShareDirect attempts to establish a direct client-to-client connection between the systems involved. Sharing occurs by invitation and applies only to the designated folder. You can create multiple shared folders, each with its own managed membership of sharers.

If the app can't establish a direct connection (for example, if a system is protected by a firewall), ShareDirect's Premium data-transfer service transports files via Laplink's relay servers. Whatever the type of transfer, ShareDirect encrypts all data to protect it from prying eyes.

I tested a shipping version of ShareDirect (version 1.0.61). Installation was fast and painless, and in moments I was securely transferring my files.

ShareDirect's subscription-based pricing is tied to how much data per month you plan to transfer to your PC from other members' PCs via Premium service; options range from 50MB ($40 per year) to 3GB ($250 per year). The $100 Personal Network Edition I tested offers three licenses, each with 400MB of Premium data transfers per month, and antivirus scanning of all files.

In a market dominated by insecure and anonymous P2P networks rife with malicious code, Laplink's ShareDirect offers safe, authenticated sharing between select users.

Mary Landesman

Laplink ShareDirect

Prices when reviewed: Subscription-based, $40 to $250 per year, depending on data-transfer volume
Current prices (if available)
A safe way to transfer files among PCs that don't share a secure network.