Network Magic attempts to fix
your home network
Network Magic
The product: Anyone who's ever tried to set up a networked printer at home knows: Windows networking is nearly impossible for the mere mortal. Today, Pure Networks announced a product that capitalizes on our pain--and might just ease it, too. This software, which is available in a beta version for download and through a partnership with AOL, is the first we've seen that works to identify all devices attached to your home network and get them talking to each other smoothly without any help from you. Pure Networks says that the final version of Network Magic will:

• Let you access your network remotely, from another Internet connection.
• Diagnose and repair network problems.
• Quickly locate and add new devices to your network as soon as you plug them in.
• Publish digital files, such as photos, from your connected camera to an Internet-accessible folder.
• Print to a single printer from any PC in your home.

The price: The Network Magic beta is free currently but with a limited feature set; some features, including remote access, aren't yet available. No pricing is available for the final version, due in spring 2005.

The prospects: Network Magic--if it works as promised--will be a boon for home users. But it's unlikely that consumers will purchase this on their own; we're hoping that Pure Networks snags more big ISP partnerships, such as its AOL relationship. The more home users have functioning, secure networks, the better.

By Lindsey Turrentine, section editor, CNET Reviews