Local Chatting/Messaging across a LAN?

[Samanda]

Hi,

I have my home wireless LAN working and secured. All machines running XP and secured by WEP. Printer and file sharing working fine now.

But what about talking to other users on the LAN. Must messages go out to the Internet and back via MSN Messenger or equiv (I'd prefer NOT to do this)? Or is there a local messaging client I could use (a free one without crippleware would be nice if anyone has a recommendation :) ).

Samanda

[Sooner Al]

Here are some ideas that may or may not work for you...

* You could use Portrait locally by calling direct IP to IP...

http://research.microsoft.com/mcom/portrait/

* Winchat is another possibility. Its built-in to the OS. Go to Start | Run and type winchat...

* RealPopup is another...

http://www.realpopup.it/

* You can also use the net send computer-name message command at a command line prompt. Go to Start | Help and Support and search on the string net send for command syntax...

Not necessarily chat programs but you can use them to at least send messages back and forth...

[Samanda]

Hi Al,

Thanks for those suggestions. I decided Winchat would be the safest option since it is MS. But I though I could see the other machine on the local network, I never successfully "rang" it and the message immediately appeared that the other machine had not responded. It had never had a chance to respond since it never "rang" and there was no opportunity to answer. Would still like to use this if you have any idea how to fix it.

I'll give the freeware a try next.

Thank you. :D
Samanda