Telnet Force by Ruksun for the PPC2002.

I recently got my Bluetooth phone and GPRS access (reviews to follow shortly). So the first thing I wanted to do as an IT manager (we all have to have a day job, right?) was to try and find some communications software so I could remotely get to my servers.

I did several searches and came up with all kinds of software ranging from $15-$500. Since I didn’t want to get into a ton of complex set up and special server software, I opted to go for something small and sweet. I wanted to connect with little hassle, get my work done without a ton of scrolling, and get out.

So in looking, I came up with several references to Telnet Force. I decided to go over to the Ruksun website (http://www.ruksun.com) and check it out.

Telnet Force does telnet, exactly what I wanted, and, it allows you to specify ports other than the default port 23. I usually run my servers on something other than the standard just to avoid simple port scanners. Once connected, it gives you your server session, and has customizable screen fonts. You can change font, size, cursor type, number of rows and columns, amount of text to keep in the buffer, etc. These options are great for getting it to fit on the small screen of a Pocket PC.

Another GREAT feature is the autodial option. If a connection isn’t present, you can have it automatically go looking for your GPRS or other type of connection. If only MS had included this with Terminal Services Client…. I feel it’s kind of silly to open IE just to get my network connection up.

It also has something that everyone who has tried to do anything via telnet on a Pocket PC would want, customizable function keys. What I mean by this is an onscreen pad of 12 F-keys, that allow you to define text in them for input. At first I was thinking maybe I wanted a nice big script to do the normal things I run through, but having things like my username and most often used commands available one-touch saves a ton of time.

If you’re looking for simple telnet software that is very stable (hasn’t given me the slightest hiccup yet), go checkout Telnet Force at http://www.ruksun.com It’s only $35 for the full version, and is one of the utilities that will never leave my Pocket PC again.

Robert Hartley
PocketPC Editor