Windows offers 2 methods to send messages to other systems/users on the network: – an e-mail system based on Windows Messaging it ensures delivery of message by storing them in a “post-office” for later delivery (in case the addressed person is NOT connected to the network at the time the message is send) – simple Popup Messages (in Windows95/98 and WindowsNT4/Windows20000)
Windows95/98:
WinPopup requires installation via the Control-Panel, “Add/Remove Programs” on the tab: “Windows Setup“:
Windows 95: part of Accessories
Windows 98: part of System Tools
WinPopup is stored to your Windows-directory. If it does not start up automatically, use the RUN-menu to start it:
(for continuous use, drag a shortcut of WinPopup to your Startup-folder)
To configure the behavior of WinPopup on receiving a new message, select from the menu: “Messages” the “Options“:
To send a message: Click on the mail-envelope, enter the name of a user (used used during network logon) or the name of a computer (as defined in the Network Properties), or: Select to send a message to all computers in a workgroup type your message and click “OK” to send it out.
WinPopup will check, that the name is valid: – that the defined user is currently logged on to the network or – that the computer is existing and send the message. HOWEVER: it does NOT guarantee that the message is received on the destination system, that WinPopup is running on the Destination system.
(in this example, the destination name could not be found on the network)
If WinPopup is running on the Destination system, the message is displayed. If WinPopup is NOT running, than the message is lost (think about it like an announcement on a radio: if the radio is turned on and you are listening, you hear the message, if the radio is switched off, you miss the message)
WinPopup will store multiple message, you use then the arrow-buttons in the toolbar
to scroll between the messages, you also use the toolbar to delete a message.
Remember: When you exit WinPopup, you will not receive any messages!
You can use WinPopup to send messages to systems running Windows95, Windows 98, WindowsNT4 and Windows2000
WindowsNT4 / Windows2000:
Under WindowsNT4 and Windows2000, there is not a program like the Win95/98 WinPopup.
Incoming messages from other Windows95/98/NT4 or Windows2000 systems are displayed in a simple Message box. Note: there is no need to install anything and no need to start-up any special program, this message notification is always active.
To send Popup-Messages, you need to open a Command-Prompt Window (“DOS-box“), and use the NET-command. To get some more help on available options of the NET-command,
type : “NET ?“, for more info on a option, type: “NET “:
To send a message:
Define the name of a user (which is logged on to the network) or a computer-name (as defined in the properties of the Network), followed by the message text. As with Windows95/98, the system will only check, that the name is valid. But if the receiving system is a Windows95 or 98 system and WinPopup is NOT running, then this message will “disappear into nowhere“. When sending a message to all systems of a Workgroup or Domain, it will also be displayed on the system which did send out the message:
As mentioned above: Windows 2000 uses the same method (via the “NET SEND” – command)as Windows NT4:
(Another indication, that Windows 2000 is really Windows NT4 ) Note: the option “NET SEND” is NOT available in Windows95 and Windows98.
