Connectix Corporation
| Home > Browse Our Collection > Computing Companies > Connectix Corporation |
Connectix Corporation was a software and hardware company, noted for having released innovative products that were either made obsolete as Apple incorporated the ideas into system software, or were sold to other companies once they became popular. It was formed in October 1988 by Jon Garber with board members Bonnie Fought (later married Garber), and close friend Roy McDonald. McDonald was still Chief Executive Officer and president when Connectix finally closed in August 2003 after the sale to Microsoft.. Products Virtual: Its original flagship product, which introduced virtual memory to the Mac OS years before Apple's implementation in System 7 HandOff II: The file launcher developed by Fred Hollander of Utilitron, Inc. This INIT for Macintosh solved the "Application Not Found" problem Apple would later build a similar functionality into System 7. SuperMenu: The first commercial hierarchical Apple menu, developed by Fred Hollander of Utilitron, Inc. became standard in System 7 MODE32: Software which allows 32-bit memory management on "32-bit dirty" Macintosh systems. Later bought by Apple Optima: Makes System 6 32-bit clean and puts a Macintosh IIsi into 32-bit mode. MAXIMA: A RAM disk utility, better than the one that later came with the Mac OS Connectix Desktop Utilities (CDU): A collection of utilities for desktop systems, including utilities for power management; synchronizing files when multiple disks are used, and custom desktop background images Connectix Powerbook Utilities (CPU): A collection of utilities designed to simplify common tasks for laptop users. RAM Doubler: The first product to combine compression with virtual memory. A top selling Mac utility also for Windows 3.1 Speed Doubler: Software that combines an enhanced disk cache, better Finder copy utility, and a dynamically recompiling 68K-to-PowerPC emulator Surf Express: A local proxy server designed to accelerate the web browsing experience by caching and auto-refreshing frequently visited web sites. Offered for both Mac OS and Windows 95. QuickCam: The first webcam. Originally the sole design of Jon Garber. It became the first Connectix Windows product 14 months later, with RAM Doubler for Windows 3.1 being the next. The Mac QuickCam shipped in August 1994, RAM Doubler for Windows in April 1995, and QuickCam for Windows in October 1995. The line was later sold to Logitech. QuickCam is now considered one of the top gadgets of all time. DoubleTalk: Access Windows-Based Network Resources Virtual_Game_Station: PlayStation emulation software. Sold to Sony, who bought it only after their lawsuit to stop it failed, and then dropped the product immediately. Virtual_PC and Virtual_Server: Emulation software of x86-based personal computers for the Macintosh, Windows and OS/2. Sold to Microsoft, the transaction was completed on February 18, 2003. With the sale of Virtual PC the development and support, staff were transferred to Microsoft, including Connectix's Chief Technical Officer Eric Traut, but not including any of the Connectix board members or Technical Support. Its Macintosh products, including DoubleTalk, CopyAgent and RAM Doubler, were discontinued. Software Products
Magazine Articles About Connectix
|
|
