Network Magic 5.0 Reviews and Restrictions for Essentials/Pro?

[brokejumper]

After reading through the forums I know that Network Magic is not too highly thought of but I thought I would give it a purchase as the trial version solved some networking problems I had that I could never quite manage to fix on my own.

I do have a few questions though for anyone who has experience with the program and particularly in choosing between the Essentials and Pro versions.

1) I currently connect 2 computers, a Wii, a networked printer and two handheld devices to the network. Would essentials limit of "3 PCs" only inlcude the PCs or would the program see that as 6 PCs?

2) How is the stability of the program? I have read allusions to the fact that the program will 'damage the network over time' but honestly I don't even know what that could mean.

3) General impressions of the utility of the program?

Thanks in advance and my apologies if this topic should have been slotted in one of the Software categories.

 

[JackMDS]

I tried the previous version of NetMagic to evaluate if it can be a solution to help "Network Challenged" End Users. My reaction to it was negative.

It can save few simple steps that are part of setting a network, this is helping people that are Network Ignorant and desire to stay Ignorant, I do not think that it solves network Problems per-se.

The application alters the regular Network configuration and makes it dependent on NetMagic, if problems do occur it does very little in solving them. By inserting itself into the system, it changes the way it normally works and at the first sign of trouble, it is almost impossible to deal with the situation.

As a result, most of the users that save the time that it takes to learn how to configure basic Network spend later much more time in trying to fix their Network when real troubles occurs.

 

[brokejumper]

Jack,

I think I saw a similar reply that you provided in a different thread and I agree it would be best to learn networking. I am not exactly computer illiterate or 'network ignorant' by any means but I was simply never able to get two-way communication between my laptop and desktop to work correctly. Network Magic solved the problem and worked flawlessly in the trial.

I appreciate the potential problems of using this type of crutch but could you be more specific in the types of problems that occurred with Network Magic so I could get a better read on what I might be in for if I should choose to stay ignorant?

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: brokejumper

I am not exactly computer illiterate or 'network ignorant' by any means but I was simply never able to get two-way communication between my laptop and desktop to work correctly. Network Magic solved the problem and worked flawlessly in the trial.

So what exactly cause the Problem and how it was solved?

In other words there might be a difference between having "Network Problem", or User that does Not know how to set Sharing.

If the latter is true, it is Not a Network Problem but a User's Short come.

 

[brokejumper]

I am quite sure that there is someway to make my network function the way that I would like it but after investing much more time than I ever should trying to solve the problem reading countless tutorials, guides and expert advice I have chosen to explore another route. Perhaps you think this makes me a flawed human being. I am ok with that.

If you, or someone else, could elaborate on the types of problems that you have seen with Network Magic so I could make a more informed choice that would be very helpful.

 

[JackMDS]

What happened at times is that the network stopped working and Network Magic does not indicate that it does not working, or and does let you do anything about it.

When this occurs it is very hard (or impossible) to solve the problem manually because Network Magic alters the standard system.

The solution is such situation is to get rid of Network Magic, reinstall the Network and learn how to configure it manually.

I.e. it beats the purpose that it was installed for to begin with.

 

[spidey07]

It screws with the TCP/IP stack and that is never a good thing and can cause more problems than it solves. The most common complaint folks have with networking is "I can't see the other computers". This is a common problem and is always caused by a misconfiguration of some kind on any computer on the network. Network neighborhood and windows name resolution has always been a flaky thing that frustrates people, so for a home network it should be avoided.

 

[Old Hippie]

I played with that program for awhile and it never did fix any networking problem that I encountered.

My networking expertise is just slightly above the ignoramus level and I remember thinking to myself "WTF would anybody buy this for when you have to look-up the solution yourself anyway".

I'm glad it worked for you but there's no way I'd buy that thing because it fixed one problem.