Lantastic networks use NetBIOS. Its multi-platform support allows a LANtastic client station to access any combination of Windows or DOS operating systems, and its interconnectivity allows sharing of files, printers, CD-ROMs and applications throughout an enterprise. LANtastic was especially popular before Windows 95 arrived with built-in networking and was nearly as popular as the market leader Novell at the time. The New York Times described the network, which permits machines to function both as servers and as workstations, as allowing computers "to share printers and other devices.
History
LANtastic was originally developed by Artisoft, Inc. in Tucson, Arizona, the first company to offer peer-to-peer networking. Several foreign-language versions were released in 1992. By mid 1994, Microsoft's Windows for Workgroups was "eating into" LANtastic's lead. Artisoft bought TeleVantage, and renamed the latter Artisoft TeleVantage. Artisoft subsequently bought Vertical Commmunications, and renamed itself to be Vertical Communications. Following the release of TeleVantage, Lantastic and Artisoft's other legacy products were acquired by in 2000. SpartaCom was later acquired by PC Micro. The 2006 version is LANtastic 8.01. It can connect PCs running MS-DOS 5.0 or later and Windows 3.x up to 7.
Reception
In 1989, BYTEmagazine listed LANtastic as among the "Distinction" winners of the BYTE Awards, stating that the $399 starter kit with two cards was "a lot of LAN for the buck" and noting that columnist Jerry Pournelle used it "despite the silly name". Artisoft products were described in 1994 as "popular with small businesses." By 1996 they were able to buy the 1991-founded Stylus Innovation for $12.8 million.
Line extensions
In 1993 the company introduced a pair of Line extensions named
A package named Lantastic-95 was designed to give more security than the Windows 95 "signon" screen and also support "long name" files. Artisoft also announced plans for a dedicated-server version of the flagship LANtastic product.
