How Can I Instant Message? 1

[gearhead03]

I have a small 5 port Linksys Hub for my home use. I would like to know if there are any programs that would allow me to "instant message" similar to the programs for the internet. My hub works great. I am interested in some starter information on networking. (i.e. the difference between tcp/ip and ipx, what the numbers in the ip address mean and how do they relate to each other on the network) any advice on books or web sites or faq#s would be appreciated .

 

[deeno]

For chat programs, there are tons out there for a local network. You probably want one that directly communicates from one machine to another using TCP/IP rather than one that requires a dedicated chat server. VyPRESS has some programs that will probably work for you. You can check them out at

http://www.vypress.com/.

As far as "starter information" on networking, that's a very general question. Back when I first started having an interest in networking, I read a MCSE book titled "Networking Essentials." That was back around '98 though, and I don't think that exam is still offered. You might look for a Network+ study guide, though. I'll paste a link to one that I saw on Amazon.com that looked pretty good:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...45638/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/102-4939410-1807345

If that doesn't work, go to

http://www.amazon.com/

and enter the following into a search: 0789728303

Good luck and be sure to ask questions if you have them! Hopefully, more specific

deeno