Free Network Messaging Software

[rich2211]

Hi,

 

I'm trying to figure out a way to send messages over a Windows Server 2008 network to Windows 7 clients. I've tried the msg command line, however, i can't seem to get this to work.

 

Does anyone know of a way to send messages to users/workstations via Windows Server 2008 or know of any FREE software that will do this for me (no trial software please)

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Richard.

[SYNACK]

Thats because the messanger service is disabled on all the machines by default because it is a security risk. You could re-enable it through group policy but probably better to use a different bit of software.

 

Is this more of a broadcast message type thing or an IM type thing as it makes a difference as to what to recommend.

[rich2211]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

 

This is more of a broadcast message thing. I.e. 'Need to re-start server, please save all work'

[jamesreedersmith]

Italc - Good for messaging as well as monitoring, remote control etc.

[SYNACK]

Looks like I am a bit out of date, the msg program does not need the mesanger service running and so it is probably blocked by the firewall:

windows 7 - How can I install msg.exe? - Super User

 

It looks like it won't send to a whole workgroup anyway unfourtunatly. Not sure of any other software that does it but I am certain that someone else on this forum will have encountered this before and have a solution.

[CyberNerd]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

 

This is more of a broadcast message thing. I.e. 'Need to re-start server, please save all work'

 

 

eeek. fix the server and reboot during scheduled periods maybe?

[cromertech]

I agree with CyberNerd. I don't think there has ever been a situation where I have to warn people at short noticed of a server shutdown. I announce all maintenance on the helpdesk and if they choose not to see it and they are still on a computer at the scheduled reboot time then hard luck.

 

I only ever schedule the reboots for out of school time (usually 9 or 10 pm) so anyone still here then needs to get a life!

[SYNACK]

Not everything is plannable we have had power companies pull up and demand to drop the main circuts into the school that no one had informed us about. Flooding AC units etc. It is better to be safe than sorry and having such a method is good even if it is just a precaution.

 

Not everything is planable or forseeable but having the tools in place to help mitagate such things is the smart play. We have a school wide audio PA system so any emergency situations can and have been broadcast through that.

[webman]

eeek. fix the server and reboot during scheduled periods maybe?

 

Even in that situation, there's always one (or a handful of) user who didn't bother to read the email, forgot about it, or thought it didn't apply to them.

[rich2211]

Thanks for all the comments. cromertech's particularly made me laugh.

 

I'm an IT Tech for an Adult College, so i'm lucky i'm the users manage to even log themselves on to the workstations (think i'm being slightly ageist here) Then there's the fact that i manage the academic network when the council manages the workstations on the admin network here -which is where they check their e-mails.

 

So as SYNACK says, and defiantly in my case - 'not everything is plannable'

 

Cheers guys.