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Connecting PCs and Macs via Infrared Communications?

Posted by Cliff on from the every-laptop-seems-to-have-one-why-not-use-it dept.

Stuee asks: "Isn't it about time my friend and I could sit opposite each other on the train and share documents or images without having to build a small network?! I mean, what's the point of both systems having infrared, and software to bridge the platform gap, if we can't connect? It's so frustrating that my XP laptop reports that my friend's iBook is in range, but cannot do anything about it, especially when my phone (which was a fraction of the cost of either laptop) and pocket device can communicate with both machines without any problem! If anyone knows of a workaround for this (other than cables), I think there would be a lot of people interested in hearing about it. Thanks for listening."

3 of 38 comments (clear)

  1. Simple technologies are often the best solution by frank_abacus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You said it yourself - cable. If you both have ethernet you can just use a single swapped cable. Lo tech = cheap, quick easy reliable etc. etc.

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    Sorry, nothing profound to put here! (http://www.abacus4.com/
  2. Re:Solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Your comment about Bluetooth is off-topic for the same reason that a comment about cellular modems would be off-topic. Neither Bluetooth nor a cellular modem can solve the submitter's problem; read Twirlip's comment in response to yours for a decent, if incomplete, explanation of why. You might as well have been talking about sealing wax for all the good it did.

  3. Re:Solution by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 2, Insightful

    the original poster specifically said he didnt want to connect them via networking

    No, the submitter said he didn't want to have to "build a small network," and that he wanted alternatives "other than cables." Using AirPort and self-assigned IP addresses, you don't have to "build a small network." For that matter, you don't have to "build a small network" if you use a crossover cable, unless you count plugging the cable in.

    I stand by my original choice.

    You can stand by whatever you like. I've already explained why you're wrong. Just to drive the point home: making two laptops-- one Mac, one Windows-- interoperate in the way you describe, with Bluetooth, is even more difficult than using IR between them. AirPort, on the other hand, is specifically designed to do what the submitter wants to do. Exchanging files over Bluetooth-- with what, XModem?-- is like carving roast beef with a screwdriver.

    I'm done with you. If you want the last word here, be my guest.

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    I write in my journal