DAVE has long been the savior of Macs in PC environments. We like DAVE because it lets us easily plug into Windows file-sharing networks from our friendly, familiar Macs. Network administrators like DAVE because they can support Macs without using AppleTalk and without reconfiguring their Windows servers.
Version 3.1 is the first Mac OS X-friendly DAVE iteration, but it includes a separate Mac OS 8.6 to 9.x version. Even though OS X (as of version 10.1) can log onto Windows servers on its own, DAVE still has plenty to offer OS X users. For one, DAVE is bi-directional, which means that in addition to enabling Macs to log onto Windows, machines, and Linux servers running SAMBA, it also lets Windows users access Mac shared files and PostScript printers. The OS X version includes support for inkjet printers (even USB ones), but that support is still missing from the OS 8.6 to 9.x app. And no, you can’t sneak around the limitation via OS X’s Classic environment.
Browsing Windows networks is simple using the PC-standard WINS and NetBIOS protocols over TCP/IP. Without DAVE, you have to type in the server’s IP or domain address; DAVE adds a DAVE icon to OS X’s Connect To Server dialog— clicking it displays a list of available Windows servers. In the OS 8.6 to 9.x version, there’s a DAVE Client in the Chooser.
DAVE 3.1 adds some other new features to both apps, including support for file names longer than 31 characters and automatic detection of Windows network workgroups. Add these to DAVE’S 10-minute setup and ease of use, and you’ve (still) got the best way for a Mac to join a PC filesharing network.
Rizzo, John. (March 2002). DAVE 3.1. MacAddict. (pg. 53).
Thursby Software
Applications
out of 10 (0 vote)
104 / 
2014-04-14 / 
ad96acac161ace0784c016ec876ce23af17a3295 / 
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install_dave_3.1.1.toast_.sit
Emulating this? It could probably run under: 
SheepShaver
