Network messaging

[Herbert 10]

I want to send messages between the 3 pcs on my wireless network mainly as a bit of fun with my daughter. Any ideas of free software I could use, would msn work and be secure?

[LL200 10]

if all machines have access to the internet, msn is perfect. (bearing in mind your daughter will have full access to msn...).

 

its not secure in the strictest sense (ie, dont be sending your credit card details over it...) but its secure enough. if you want real secure chats, then skype is better.

[GrinderBloke 10]

What about the net send command built into Windows, OK so it doesn't look much but it works and it is secure within your network.

 

Type "net send" at a command prompt

[Cyclone 10]

net send {pc name} {message}

 

that's the whole command, but it's not as good as a proper messaging client.

 

If you want something to do full messaging but for some reason don't want to use one of the existing offerings you could download pandion and run it on one of your machines as a server. That way your daughter will only be able to add the users you create and won't be able to chat to anyone else on t'interweb.

[Herbert 10]

Thanks for the replies...will have a go!

[fnkysknky 10]

If you do wish to use 'net send' then remember that the Messaging service is disabled by Service Pack 2 so you'll need to re-enable it on all the machines before you can receive any messages.

 

Also bear in mind that if it's not firewalled you're going to get hammered by spam through it.

 

MSN/Yahoo/Google Talk.... would all be decent solutions - as for secure it depends on your network setup and just how safe you want it...

[Ghozer 112]

Older versions of windows had something called winpopup..

 

http://www.lanmessenger.com/ <-- is a current replacement, and I use it myself

 

another good one I have used in the past is http://www.winmessenger.com/

[TheBlueDragon 10]

I once used the net send at college, I didnt realise it sent to every computer in the network, I got in some right trouble

[sufc_tom 10]

I once used the net send at college, I didnt realise it sent to every computer in the network, I got in some right trouble

 

Me too mainframe

 

If you put the net send command followed by the students I.D it sent it to them individually. Once had this kid freak out in class with pop ups saying you are accessing illegal sites please report to your form tutor.

[Joelc 10]

You could setup a jabber server, it works like MSN, if you want that kind of messaging.

 

Most firewalls will block net send messages, due to the bug in Windows XP that allows messages from untrusted sources to be displayed on your computer.

 

Joel