SG Broadband Community

I've recently installed a home network and I was wondering is there a way of the two PC's chatting together in a similar way as MSN Messenger does but without involving the internet.

Any help would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

LanTalk XP - Instant LAN Messenger

http://www.cezeo.com/

I havent tried it, so I dont know how well it works.

Lefty

Oops, very pricey (edit) never mind, will see if I can find freeware.

This one is all freeware and has a few chioces.

http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/netwo ... ssage.html

Thanks Lefty, chose quick messenger, works great.

Out of curiosity, why didn't you just use the chat that comes with all versions of Windows (all computers, for that matter). It's called Messenger (not related to Microsoft Messenger) in XP.

Courtney sends....

Courtney wrote:Out of curiosity, why didn't you just use the chat that comes with all versions of Windows (all computers, for that matter). It's called Messenger (not related to Microsoft Messenger) in XP.

Courtney sends....

Main PC running XP Home, other PC running XP Pro, did try Messenger but for some reason couldn't get it to play. Did a search of the Microsoft Knowledge base, but I might as well have been typing in Urdo, couldn't get any sense out of the chaps.

Been giving what you said some more thought and decided that why should I use a third party app when windows comes with pre installed gear anyway?

So, seeing as I've already tried messenger and couldn't get it to work I thought I'd try Netmeeting.

To start with I came accross the same problem, but after a little research I discovered that the built in firewall in xp has to be configured to allow this type of traffic, seeing as I just couldn't be bothered with all the hassle I simply stopped using it on both pc's.

Now with netmeeting I have a much better system of lan chat.

I've ran tests to make sure my systems are safe and all seem ok.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

No problem.

By the way, I'm talking about Windows Messenger, not Microsoft Messenger. It uses net send to actually send messages. In fact, the same commands work on all Windows, network enabled DOS, and linux. It's primary purpose is to allow network administrators to send messages to users.

courtney sends....

IBM Alphaworks used to have a program called Babblenet that did EXACTLY what you asked for. They pulled it from "active" service."

Post an e-mail address and I'll find the code...it was a java client that would link to any other computer (you supply the address) for real time messaging.

You can find a real chat room and take it private, too...I do it for my kids. Visit http://www.webmaster.com/products/download.htm

You can click on the link for "Backpack" that is their free client.

Basically, you create a chatroom that's public, listed on their servers. But using the MODE commands, you can make it private so it's not listed and no one else can see it exists. The most convenient way to load Backpack is to have a webpage, complete with user logins etc. already encoded on your hard disks. That way, individual users login to the server without doing anything but clicking on a link. It can be on full webpage or a pop up window. LOTS of nice features...private chat, colors for text, sounds (like doorbells or explosions to get someone's attention...) and other personalization.

Alternatively, you can use NetMeeting supplied with XP.

Thanks for the info Reader,

But I've managed to get Netmeeting up and running and my daughter likes it so I'll stick to that.

Once again thankyou.

I've found this LAN chat software
Easy tool in MSN style,file transfer option is included.

gandrew wrote:I've found this LAN chat software
Easy tool in MSN style,file transfer option is included.

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a try.

In our office we are using http://www.outlookmessenger.com . Hope it will satisfy your requirements.