Apple has released Bonjour for Windows 1.0.4.
Bonjour, also known as zero-configuration networking, enables automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks. Bonjour uses industry standard IP protocols to allow devices to automatically discover each other without the need to enter IP addresses or configure DNS servers.
Bonjour, formerly known as Rendezvous, has been part of Mac OS X since version 10.2 Jaguar, released August 24, 2002. Apple first released Bonjour for Windows in June 2004.
With Bonjour for Windows, you can easily network your Windows computer to an existing network or create instant networks of multiple devices without any additional network configuration.
Bonjour for Windows requires Windows 2000/2003, Windows XP or Windows Vista. Make sure you have the latest Service Pack installed for your computer using Windows Update.
More info and download link (2.1MB) here.
My colleague, the IT guy, was amazed when I showed him bonjour. He had trouble setting up a network printer, so I downloaded bonjour, and it worked right away. Got him thinking.
First Post!
What is the use of Bonjour for Windows?
Another Trojan Horse….?
I wish bonjour allowed the mac to print to a windows-connected computer. That is the biggest pain. I’ve tried gimp and ghostscript work arounds but they didn’t work for me. I have to save files to a Parallels shared folder, open parallels, then print from windows. I’m going to try to get Bonjour 1.0.4 to work again.
Can I just say that these new adverts (interstitials?) that you get when you follow the links are really annoying, intrusive and – what’s worse – flogging stuff that is probably spyware or adware.
I haven’t done a precise count, but there are about 20 ads on this page not including the Google AdWords.
I know MDN needs to pay its bills, but if MacRumours, AppleInsider and MacNN can all run without this level of intrusive hucksterism, why can’t MDN?
@ Just Wondering. Yup. Interstitials SUCK donkey butt! I think MDN is betting on people just putting up for the content, but they can only annoy the crap outta their readers so much before thy move to MacNN or something. It’s crossed my mind more than once.
Back on topic: I think Umesh is right. It’s another trojan. Before long, Apple’s gonna subersively turn Windows into Mac OS X by just bit-by-bit replacing it’s components with their Apple’s. Mwahahahaha!
MW: Pressure. The pressure is on, Redmond, when your competitor releases products for your OS that blow your own system-level services away.
Bonjour for Windows is a great tool for reducing customer calls, especially when you install new Bonjour-aware printers that have web management interfaces.
It means you can talk a customer through using IE (and presumably Safari) to get to their printers, you can also use it to manage a Roku Soundbridge, and – if you deploy a “beacon” utility like Network Beacon (there is one for Windows, I just forget what it’s called) – you can use it to make life easier.
Also, if you’re a Parallels user and you don’t install Bonjour for Windows on your VM, you’re being a bit of a raw prawn.
“First Post!
What is the use of Bonjour for Windows?
Another Trojan Horse….?”
itunes / appletv for one. and general compatability
I agree about the Interstitials. They cause an annoying wait for links to open. On several occasions I have just clicked off the page. They’ve got to go!
Is this really a Trojan Horse that will work? Will people really know “Bonjour” is an Apple product and not some hidden feature of their computer? Sure anybody who knows computers will know this is an Apple product. But for people who have their computer fixed by the “tech” people, will they know the difference? I don’t see it happening. Hopefully I’m wrong.
Note: With iTunes / AppleTV, it’s MUCH MUCH more obvious the product’s are from Apple.
Therefore, going back to Umesh’s question: what’s the use of Bonjour for Windows? Our goal is to get people to switch away from Windows, not necessarily improve their Window’s experience.
Peace.
I am wondering why Bonjour 1.03 was 14.2 MB, and Bonjour 1.04 is only 2.1 MB. Haven’t had time to research it well, but very curious.
Hmm… Perhaps Bonjour is not so much a Trojan Horse in terms of getting people to use Apple products but as ANOTHER way to show that Apple products work well with M$ machines. Given the compability between Mac and Windows machines, maybe Apple is hoping people will realize that it is okay / safe for them to get an Apple computer. iTunes / AppleTV could be the Trojan Horses that give them Apple brand name recognition and positive user experience.
In any case, it’s a very interesting strategic move by Apple. Bravo.
Peace.
If you don’t like the advertisements there is a simple solution:
Download:
http://www.granus.net/users/hilarious/stopADVbanners_atomfriedpatch.css.gz
Place this css file in your document folder and reference in Safari/Preferences/Advanced/StyleSheet
and voila!
Bonjour is probably the most undervalued piece of Apple software for Windows. It took me 5 minutes to set up our networked printer on all the PCs in my house. Wish I could say it was as easy for the Macs (but that’s a Canon problem, not Apple).
@ markdo
Thank you so much. That is a great little tool. Much more straight forward than the things found at pimpmysafari.com. MDN is beautiful now.
i think i have windows 1.04 on a 5.25″ floppy somewhere… i’ll tell you how the install turns out, guys.
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I wasn’t even aware of the interstitials or other nasty unwanted advertising. I run firefox with the adblock extension, and am never bothered by ads.