Software to send message on local network?

I'm looking for suggestions on a simple freeware prog to broadcast messages from a single Access Point to no more than 5 clients on that tiny network.
:thanks:

Windows has that built-in.

It's called messenger. Several years ago, people without firewalls would receive popups on their computer, even when IE was closed. This was caused by spammers using the messenger service to send messages to people just like the e-mail spam of today. The original purpose was for system administrators to send messages to users about upcoming network activity "Printer X is broken. Use Printer Y". Ever since the spammer attacks, M$ now has this service turned off by default. It's easy to turn back on but if your using XP SP2, you will need to allow the port through the firewall. I don't know what port # thiat is off the top of my head.

If you're looking for an IM type client, try Spark. We use it where I work.

http://www.jivesoftware.org/spark/

If it's a Windows network perhaps net send in a DOS box is all you need. I have a small applet somewhere called msg.exe that sends messages even if Messenger is disabled but I don't seem to have the documentation on this PC.

sigman, haven't used these, but found them in a quick search, all appear to be freeware :

http://www.ntsend.freeserve.co.uk/

http://www.bgsoft.net/download.html

http://users.pandora.be/Grrrippp/

I appreciate the info, still trying them out! :thanks:

Net Send is builtin Windows

The syntax of this command is:
NET SEND {name | * | /DOMAIN[:name] | /USERS} message