Interoffice Chat

[un4given1]

Well, I searched long and hard for a way to allow all of the users at our office to chat. All of the big networks such as AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo and any others were certainly out of the question because it's already hard enough to keep them working, didn't need that distraction too. I looked at just about every free program and some rather expensive ones too and finally found a sensible solution.

PopMessenger ( http://www.leadmind.com/ )

I wanted to tell you all about my experience with this software and maybe help anyone else who is looking for a similar solution.

Here's what I did. I installed the program on one PC and through some playing around found out that the only required file for this program is the EXE file. So, I copied the PopMessenger.EXE file to my desktop and uninstalled the program.

Now, the program allows for you to create user lists that separate people by department or such, but the way the program works requires you to manually set these changes on each PC. This could be an administration nightmare.

I found out that by running the program and configuring all of your settings then exporting these settings you could pass these changes on to everyone. But there is one problem. How does the application know who is who? Well, by an 8 digit UID that is in the registry. So, I use a command script to import the users' username into the registry as well as generate the 8 digit code.

Creating a unique 8 digit code for each user was a bit tricky, but after some playing around I decided I would have it disect the first 3 digits of their username and the last 1 digit of their username and then repeat it. So, for dfreeman it would be "dfrndfrn" Get it?

Then, by running a command script from the logon script, importing the registry setting and launching the program, every user is set to go without a great deal of work.

OK, so I know I am probably losing a great deal of you in my explanation so I'll just show you the files...

POPMESSENGER.CMD

IF EXIST c:\progra~1\PopMessenger\PopMessenger.exe (
 GOTO REG
 ) ELSE (
 md c:\progra~1\PopMessenger
 copy n:\popmessenger.exe c:\progra~1\PopMessenger\PopMessenger.exe
)

:REG
start /wait regedit /s popmessenger.reg

:CUSTOMIZE
cmd /c echo y | reg add HKCU\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60 /v NickName /t REG_SZ /d %username%
cmd /c echo y | reg add HKCU\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60 /v UID /t REG_SZ /d %username:~0,3%%username:~-1,1%%username:~0,3%%username:~-1,1%

:LOG
net use l: \\SERVERNAME\DIRECTORY\%username%

:LAUNCH
start c:\progra~1\PopMessenger\PopMessenger.exe

POPMESSENGER.REG

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00


[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60]
"NickName"=""
"UID"=""
"LangFile"=""
"AlwaysOnTop"=dword:00000001
"ShowTips"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\BroadcastForm]
"FormX"=dword:00000000
"FormY"=dword:00000000
"FormW"=dword:00000000
"FormH"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Connections]
"Port"=dword:00002119
"TCPPort"=dword:0000211a
"IP"="0.0.0.0"
"Broadcast"="255.255.255.255"
"MulticastAddress"="230.0.0.1"
"UseBroadcast"=dword:00000001
"MulticastSegments"=dword:00000004

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Groups]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Groups\0]
"GroupName"="Unassigned"
"Expanded"=dword:00000001
"General"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Groups\2]
"GroupName"="IT"
"Expanded"=dword:00000001
"0"="dfrndfrn"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Groups\3]
"GroupName"="Sales"
"Expanded"=dword:00000001
"0"="jsmhjsmh"
"1"="dhurdhur"
"2"="pboepboe"
"3"="hswnhswn"
"4"="klysklys"
"5"="jbuyjbuy"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Groups\4]
"GroupName"="Customer Svc"
"Expanded"=dword:00000001
"0"="rkeyrkey"
"1"="kbelkbel"
"2"="tpaetpae"
"3"="jel2jel2"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Groups\5]
"GroupName"="Negotiations"
"Expanded"=dword:00000001
"0"="aleealee"
"1"="jelsjels"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Groups\6]
"GroupName"="Accounting"
"Expanded"=dword:00000001
"0"="prespres"
"1"="jkeejkee"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\History]
"useLogging"=dword:00000001
"LogIn"=dword:00000000
"LogOut"=dword:00000000
"LogBoth"=dword:00000001
"LogFolder"="L:\\"
"FlushHistoryTime"=dword:00000005
"HistoryPurgePeriod"=dword:0000001e
"bPurgeHistory"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\HistoryForm]
"FormX"=dword:00000000
"FormY"=dword:00000000
"FormW"=dword:00000000
"FormH"=dword:00000000
"WindowState"="wsNormal"
"HistoryColumn0Width"=dword:ffffffff
"HistoryColumn1Width"=dword:00000000
"HistoryColumn2Width"=dword:00000000
"HistoryColumn3Width"=dword:00000000
"HistoryColumn4Width"=dword:00000000
"bFSender"=dword:00000000
"bFRecipient"=dword:00000000
"bFMsgText"=dword:00000000
"bFTime"=dword:00000000
"bLastFirst"=dword:00000000
"FSender"=""
"FRecipient"=""
"FMsgText"=""
"FTimeStart"=hex:18,77,34,34,e1,c3,e2,40
"FTimeEnd"=hex:18,77,34,34,c1,c4,e2,40

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\MainForm]
"FormX"=dword:000003c8
"FormY"=dword:0000019b
"FormW"=dword:0000009f
"FormH"=dword:00000180
"ChatWindowWidth"=dword:00000160

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\MessageBroadcast]
"Alignment"="LEFT"
"FontSize"=dword:0000000a
"FontCharset"=dword:00000001
"FontColor"=dword:00000000
"FontBold"=dword:00000001
"FontItalic"=dword:00000000
"FontUnderline"=dword:00000000
"FontStrikeOut"=dword:00000000
"FontName"="Tahoma"
"BackgroundColor"=dword:80000005
"UseTypeWriter"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\MessageForm]
"FormX"=dword:00000177
"FormY"=dword:000000eb
"FormW"=dword:0000017c
"FormH"=dword:0000010c
"WindowState"="wsNormal"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\MessageIncoming]
"Alignment"="LEFT"
"FontSize"=dword:0000000a
"FontCharset"=dword:00000001
"FontColor"=dword:00000000
"FontBold"=dword:00000001
"FontItalic"=dword:00000000
"FontUnderline"=dword:00000000
"FontStrikeOut"=dword:00000000
"FontName"="Tahoma"
"BackgroundColor"=dword:8000000f

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\MessageSingle]
"Alignment"="LEFT"
"FontSize"=dword:0000000a
"FontCharset"=dword:00000001
"FontColor"=dword:00000000
"FontBold"=dword:00000001
"FontItalic"=dword:00000000
"FontUnderline"=dword:00000000
"FontStrikeOut"=dword:00000000
"FontName"="Tahoma"
"BackgroundColor"=dword:80000005
"UseTypeWriter"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Misc]
"UserListUpdateTime"=dword:000000b4
"UserListBGColor"=dword:80000005
"GroupsBGColor"=dword:00f0caa6
"UserListFontSize"=dword:00000008
"UserListFontName"="Tahoma"
"UserListFontCharset"=dword:00000001
"UserListFontColor"=dword:80000008
"UserListFontBold"=dword:00000000
"UserListFontItalic"=dword:00000000
"UserListFontUnderline"=dword:00000000
"UserListFontStrikeOut"=dword:00000000
"bRunAtStartup"=dword:00000001
"bStartMinimized"=dword:00000001
"bAutoSetAway"=dword:00000001
"bEnableGroups"=dword:00000001
"bQuoteOnReply"=dword:00000001
"bUseAnimation"=dword:00000001
"bMinimizeAfterSending"=dword:00000000
"bAlphaBlending"=dword:00000000
"AlphaBlendingValue"=dword:000000ff
"bUseMessageDelivery"=dword:00000000
"bEnableChat"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\OfflineHistoryForm]
"FormX"=dword:00000000
"FormY"=dword:00000000
"FormW"=dword:00000000
"FormH"=dword:00000000
"WindowState"="wsNormal"
"bOfflinesLastFirst"=dword:00000000
"Offline1Column0Width"=dword:ffffffff
"Offline1Column1Width"=dword:00000000
"Offline1Column2Width"=dword:00000000
"Offline1Column3Width"=dword:00000000
"Offline2Column0Width"=dword:ffffffff
"Offline2Column1Width"=dword:00000000
"Offline2Column2Width"=dword:00000000
"Offline2Column3Width"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\OfflineHistoryMessageForm]
"FormX"=dword:00000000
"FormY"=dword:00000000
"FormW"=dword:00000000
"FormH"=dword:00000000
"WindowState"="wsNormal"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\RecvFileForm]
"RecvFolder"="P:\\"
"FormX"=dword:00000000
"FormY"=dword:00000000
"bAutoClose"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\SendFileForm]
"SendFolder"="C:\\"
"FormX"=dword:00000000
"FormY"=dword:00000000
"bAutoClose"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\Sounds]
"useSounds"=dword:00000000
"wavIn"=""
"wavOut"=""
"wavKeys"=""
"wavReturn"=""
"wavDelete"=""
"wavUserLogsIn"=""
"wavChatInvitation"=""
"wavPvtChatClosed"=""
"wavUserJoinsChat"=""
"wavUserExitsChat"=""
"wavChatString"=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\UserInfo]
"infoFirstName"=""
"infoLastName"=""
"infoPhone"=""
"infoCellular"=""
"infoPager"=""
"infoEmail"=""
"infoAdditional"=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\UserStatus]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\UserStatus\0]
"bUseAutoAnswer"=dword:00000000
"AutoAnswer"=""
"bBringOnTop"=dword:00000001
"bDoNotRecieve"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\UserStatus\1]
"bUseAutoAnswer"=dword:00000001
"AutoAnswer"="I am away from my computer right now. Please try to reach me later."
"bBringOnTop"=dword:00000001
"bDoNotRecieve"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\UserStatus\2]
"bUseAutoAnswer"=dword:00000001
"AutoAnswer"="Sorry, but I am busy right now. Please try not to disturb me until further notice."
"bBringOnTop"=dword:00000000
"bDoNotRecieve"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\LeadMind\PopMessenger\1.60\UserStatus\3]
"bUseAutoAnswer"=dword:00000001
"AutoAnswer"="Sorry, but I am offline. You will not be able to leave me a message at this time. Please try again later."
"bBringOnTop"=dword:00000000
"bDoNotRecieve"=dword:00000001

So, at about $10 a user license it's affordable. With a couple hours of work to setup the script and customize the registry settings just the way I want them it creates no work on the PC side. And now I have an interoffice chat program that logs all messages to the server, allows our employees to collaborate easier through both IM and a "room" chat, and serves as a great help when training a new employee while they are on the phone.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

[matrix0978]

Thats sweeet! I dont have a business to try it out but it looks useful for many businesses out there. Great Find and great research!

[un4given1]

I wouldn't so much call it "research" as I would call it "trial and error." I used REGMON and FILEMON to see what kind of changes it made and where and what files it required to run. Then I tried it out on a couple PCs and tweaked it until I got what I wanted. Lots of fun

[indianarchie]

hey if u want a nice freeware intranet messenger......we use a great one in our office..its called Message Popup. It also transfers files within the network in a flash..even big files like 100 MB or so!

This is a LAN message communication program. It also includes a diary, and it supports usernames changes and file attachments. It provides multilingual support.

dwld it from this link:

http://www.tucows.com/preview/315335.html

[un4given1]

Thanks for the post, but that really wasn't an option. That piece of software just doesn't have the professional look that PopMessenger does. Also, I found with a lot of the other programs you would lose users from time to time for no reason at all. Not with PopMessenger. Thanks anyways.