Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why can i only see the local computer and no one else in the All Host window. I can send broadcasts just fine, but I cant send direct messages either?

Q2. Why are some of the buttons permanently disabled. Like the address book and the the file attachment?

Q3. How come there is no online documentation or context sensistive help?

Question 1

Q1. Why can i only see the local computer and no one else in the All Host window. I can send broadcasts just fine, but I cant send direct messages either!
This is probably *the most* frequently asked question I get. Well for starters let me tell you that my program works mainly with the host name of the computers you are sending messages and this problem is not because of my program but how the TCP/IP protocol works to resolve computer names. To send a message to a different computer, your computer must be able to resolve the name of the remote host (eg "station-22" or "mike" etc) to its IP address. Now for the computers on the internet, they already have DNS servers doing this job for them, but for your typical LAN (for which the application is mainly designed) there is by default no means for the workstations to resolve each others names. (well atlest i couldnt find anything).. Fortunately there are two solutions:

1. Add a HOST file to each machine on the LAN
2. Startup your own DNS/WINS server

Well the HOST file method is the easiest and fastest. The HOST file is a simple text file located in your windows directory or (winnt\system\drivers\etc\ if running NT) of each station. It contains a list of host names followed by IP addresses. Here is an example: (Note a sample is also provided by microsoft as host.sam file in the same directory).

Now this file placed in the appropriate directory will allow windows to resolve the hostnames to IP addresses. Obviously this solution is feasible if the number of computers is relatively small and their IP addresses assigned are static. Then you can make a host file containing an entry for each machine and then copy it to all the machines.

Alternativey the DNS/WINS method requires you to setup a DNS/WINS server on an NT server/linux machine. Now this is a pain and beyond the scope of this FAQ. But it is more flexible and allows central management of all the name resolution. Obviously this gains the benifit of easily adding or removing of a machine to the network since you wont have to go fix the HOST files on 50 PCs! Nevertheless the host method is the easiest and wont cost u nothing.

Question 2

Q2. Why are some of the buttons permanently disabled. Like the address book and the the file attachment?
Well :) i sort of never got around to making those features. Back when the program was under construction, I kept throwing all these buttons and things every where for all the ideas i had, and over time as i implemented them I activated them. So keep watching, those features could just be enabled in the next version.

Question 3

Q3. How come there is no online documentation or context sensistive help?
2.0.2.4 is the first version I have released on the net, before that it was simply used on campus and ofcouse I was providing all the support in person with the help of a friend. So I really never did get around to making it. Ofcourse its a different ball game on the net, and the next version I am working on has already got context sensistive help implemented, and there will be more detailed help in microsofts new HTML format.

For bugs and more information contact : Techno Junkie