FreePPP 2.6 Released

Following a long period of public beta testing, Rockstar Studios has released a complete version of FreePPP 2.6, the popular free dialup software that lets Macs connect to the Internet. According to Rockstar, FreePPP 2.6 offers performance improvements over previous versions; it also recognizes more types of modems, features a revamped setup interface (including 24 lines for login scripts), offers better compatibility with Performa modems, and incorporates numerous bug fixes reported by users. FreePPP co-exists happily with Apple’s Open Transport/PPP (switching between them just requires changing Open Transport’s TCP/IP settings) so users can pick the PPP implementation that works best for them. Rockstar also offers GearBox, a commercial dialup tool built on FreePPP that includes a large feature set with diagnostic tools and the ability to manage multiple configurations.

During its first week of release, FreePPP 2.6 is available exclusively from CNET’s download.com; thereafter, it should also be available from Info-Mac mirrors and other archive sites. FreePPP 2.6 is a 785K download, works with MacTCP or Open Transport, and requires System 7.1 or higher and a 68020 or better processor (including PowerPCs).