Internal Instant Messaging

**celestina** · July 17th, 2003, 11:57 AM

Do you guys know of any reliable and small freeware IM software that I could use in my LAN?

We have 100+ computers in our LAN. However, I'm in a governmental agency, so let's forget about paying money for it in a while. If it turns out to be a success, then I can lobby for licences. So it must be freeware for a while.

Does it make any difference between running it through our server than having it run through the LAN itself? I don't want to overload my server, but I guess it could be easier for the user. Wild guess here.

Any other suggestions? Any input is very welcome.

(an afterthought - if it costs something up to US$30, I can pay for it myself, no prob)

**dunbar** · July 17th, 2003, 12:06 PM

Assuming a Microsoft OS... Windows has a builtin messaging client... called, I believe, 'Windows Messaging'.

EDIT: if that doesn't quite suit your needs, maybe ICQs java version can be of ise, but everyone needs to register with ICQ (still free). here is the link.

**vass0922** · July 17th, 2003, 12:31 PM

I think Sun was developing a corporate IM, and I think AOL was too... see if I can find something.

--- edit ---
nevermind I'm a dolt

they're not free

**Manfordjinsen** · July 17th, 2003, 12:51 PM

Have you tried using Exodus, it's an IM client we use at work on our lan, it's free and heres the link

**celestina** · July 24th, 2003, 11:38 AM

Thanks, everybody, I'm still looking for a suitable solution.

Manford: I saw that Exodus seems to have tons of updates, etc. The problem is that folks in my lan are pretty much laymen, and I wouldn't want to have to update the program in each computer with frequency. Is that what happens in your LAN? If not, I might seriously consider as a viable alternative. Also, what kind of registration does it demand via the internet? I want to make things easy for my coworkers, because I want to avoid sitting in each computer to do that if it's too time-consuming.

Thanks agains for your attention.

**highrock** · July 24th, 2003, 11:50 AM

I used realpopup on my network at home. free easy to use.

http://www.realpopup.it/download.html

**wetdog500** · July 25th, 2003, 12:55 PM

you may want to send console mesages.
there are a lot of disadventages to it though.

to sent one
right click my computer
click manage
then click action and scroll over All tasks
then click sent console message

this probably wont help but its free!

**e980238** · July 25th, 2003, 01:25 PM

HERE is a solution. JABBER!!!!

There are windows clients for this as well.

**Manfordjinsen** · July 25th, 2003, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by celestina
Thanks, everybody, I'm still looking for a suitable solution.

Manford: I saw that Exodus seems to have tons of updates, etc. The problem is that folks in my lan are pretty much laymen, and I wouldn't want to have to update the program in each computer with frequency. Is that what happens in your LAN? If not, I might seriously consider as a viable alternative. Also, what kind of registration does it demand via the internet? I want to make things easy for my coworkers, because I want to avoid sitting in each computer to do that if it's too time-consuming.

Thanks agains for your attention.

As long as we have used Exodus at work we havent had to update it at all, just download the inital installation program and set it up on each computer. We've never had to update it or register it with anyone, it's freeware and doesn't have any kind of trial version so it won't quit working after a certain period of time. It's been a really good alternative to MSN messenger for us.

**Siliconjunkie** · July 28th, 2003, 04:48 AM

I second Jabber, we use it at work with great success.

**muno** · July 28th, 2003, 05:08 AM

What's wrong with the windows messaging?
net send <computername> <message> from command prompt works great.

(winpopup on w9x computers)
-M

**Siliconjunkie** · July 28th, 2003, 10:18 AM

It doesn't work reliably for sending to a user instead of a computer. Also its a pain to reply, no need to open a DOS prompt every time you want to send a message.

edit-

The other problem is that you can't minimize or see past messages. Makes a conversation really hard.

**muno** · July 29th, 2003, 01:49 AM

Use the phone

It doesn't cost anything anyway.
-M

//edit: NetMeeting works quite fine b t w (needs a server I think)

**Urban_Squrill** · July 29th, 2003, 02:01 AM

I found this app called Timbucktu Pro and it has a lot of cool stuff like that. Chat everything. Found it on one of the computers my mom got for the summer form skool. LOL skool computers for FaD.

mickwish · July 29th, 2003, 02:11 AM

Timbukto Pro ain't free, U_S.

There is a great message app called Sonork, but it ain't free either, unless you have less than 5 clients.

Cheers
Mick

eidt: BTW, anyone know of any free jabber server apps for windoze?

**Urban_Squrill** · July 29th, 2003, 02:23 AM

Sorry I just saw it and just thaught you would liek to know.

mickwish · July 29th, 2003, 02:25 AM

Actually, now that I checked your inital post again, Sonork has a 5 user trial. Might be worth investigating at least, as I think it's a great messaging product!

Cheers
Mick

mickwish · July 29th, 2003, 02:33 AM

Also, what about shareware stuff? Dunno what any of them are like, but you could try them out free, at least!

Cheers
Mick

edit: apologies, U_S. I misread the original post and thought they only wanted a free app. Timbukto Pro may have a trial package. It's mainly a remote control app, though, rather than a specialist messaging app. Dunno if you'd want all the users having a remote control app on their desktops.