Others say...

"Much better than MShome"
Net Magic give you a easy to read flow chart of your all your connections and shared folders. Also the IP and mac addresses, speed etc. Setting up file sharing between comps was easy, getting the printer to print from the notebook was a bit tricker. Also the version 2.0 that is being sold here is from 2005 and doesn't support wireless. There is a free upgrade, but you will need to able to connect to the net via a LAN until you are upgraded.

"It magically saved my network!"
Frustration was building... Countless hours spent trying to get my computers to communicate. Talk to each other!! Why don't you see each other! Each could connect to the network, but not to each other. Someone please help!

No worries! Network Magic to the rescue! It truly is magic!

I consider myself at least very mildly computer saavy/capable (in the normal world), although I am certainly no tech wizard. I've previously had my network running well with computers communicating with each other. However, something strange happened to the network. I've spent much time trying to get my computers (all use Windows XP) to transfer/share files and printers. I unsuccessfully tried to fix it and referenced cnet and microsoft and faithfully followed all support steps. I also checked various discussion groups and websites. I found that the tips/tricks on CNet did not help. The computers would not ping each other, but would ping the router. http://help.cnet.com/Networking_and_Wi_Fi/9602-12576_39-0.html?tag=tip-2505209&nodeId=3243&messageID=2505209&kw=Networking+AND+and+AND+Wi+AND+Fi

As a professional, my time is valuable and I spent too much time messing with it. I stumbled across Network Magic on CNet. I verified that my router (make sure of this prior to purchase at http://www.networkmagic.com/product/supported/; try the free trial first if not sure) was supported by the program and installed it in each and all of my computers. They now communicate perfectly and are happy to share files/printers with each other like old friends. It only took a couple of minutes to fix it.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to try and evaluate the many other offerings (including Net2Go) of this program, but even for only fixing my network, this program is worth it for me. It saved me much headache and time. I am actually just using the trial. Not sure if I will need to purchase it after 30 days if I don't need Net2GO, but I probably will; although I doubt I will need the $30/year subscription.

FYI.. Amazon is selling version 2.0 at this time. I installed version 3 at http://www.networkmagic.com/download/. I'm not sure if there is a big difference.

"Nice Concept, Doesn't Work"
Share your printer easily? Serve your shared files over the internet with Net2Go? Get updates about the security status of your computers? Sounds great, but it doesn't work. Printer sharing never worked well, the status of computers is sometimes inacurate, and Net2Go?

Net2Go worked for about a week, then crapped out and tech support is of no help. Even when I got it working, it required a fair bit of configuration, so unless you know what "UPnP" and "Port Forwarding" are or how to open a port on your software firewall (I suspect many of the people who buy this product aren't highly tech savy) then this product is one to pass up. Even if you manage to get it working, it takes two days to map a new IP address so unless you have a static IP, be prepared for some downtime when your ISP assigns you a new one.

Net2Go was what I bought the software for so it's a real shame it didn't work out.

Oh, and make sure your router is on their "supported" list before buying. They don't support a lot of the newer routers or routers with beefier firewalls.



"Network Tragic"
I love this product. Wait, what I mean is, I love the idea of this product.
I love the idea of a network manager that sits quietly in the background. Stealthily repairing lost or broken connections, registering new additions to the network and informing me, at all times, who is and isn't on my network. Informing me of any questionable activities or problems it discovers.
The concept is great. The implementation of this concept, however, is not quite the helpful friend it seems.
Within 2 days of installing NM, I was having to retreat to my 2nd floor office several times a day to re-set my di-624 router after completely losing connection with my laptop. My wifes computer, in another study, was constantly receiving connection error messages. The NM program was constantly checking and re-checking these connections. Informing me that it was "on the job" fixing and repairing connections at a dizzying pace. An automatically downloaded upgrade shortly after install seemd to increase the frequency of these "network crashes".

If I was not extremely familiar with home networking, and more specifically, my personal home network. I could easily believe that NM was saving my life from all the correcting, repairing and disconnecting and resetting of connections it was doing. Saving me from the trouble of having to enter the appropriate setup modes to work in these issues and and relieving me of the responsibility of having to learn how to do these things.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, for me... I DO know how to do all this stuff.

My network, which was running perfectly prior to the installation of NM, was now presenting as many as 7 to 12 reset scenarios a day. Not just "connection repairs" which can be performed from the remote computer you are on (although it was performing those multiple times through the day), but networks resets which required me to acces the router and reset it.

I can see how someone might think this a life saver if it was saving them from all the problems it claims to be fixing. However, my network, which had 1 reset in the last 3 months, never had the kind of problems I was experiencing with NM. And guess what? After un-installing the program, it is back to normal again.

As I said before, I would love to have a program that relieves me from the tedious tasks assoiated with performing the services it is claiming to offer. However, Network Magic, for me, does not live up to these claims.

I recommed purchasing this from a place that will accept returns if you are wanting to try it. It may work for you, but I wouldn't roll those dice without a way out.

Great Idea.

Poorly Implemented.

Not Recommended.

"Version 3 is fantastic!"
Have been using the new version 3 only to say, don't waste your time on even a discounted version 2. Seamlessly connected my old Dell, my new Sony, my PDA with WiFi and my Network Wifi video camera. If you know of a better product, please let me know.