How to Use Novell to Send Messages to Workstations

George Canova and Jack Davis started Novell in 1981 to provide workstation terminals for IBM mainframe computers. In the 1990s, Novell diversified into mainstream software applications with the hopes of creating a "super" network operating system for the masses. Portions of the software were later sold as the company refocused efforts into the world of open-source software. Open-source software allows anyone with programming abilities to access the code of the software to make desired changes to the program. Many people use Novell open-source software to send messages to people operating workstations on a network.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Use the Server Console to Send Messages to Workstations

1. Prepare your message in advance so you know the message you want to send using up to 55 characters.

2. Get out the usernames and connection numbers you will need to send messages to people on the workstations.

3. Use the proper syntax to send the messages to individuals or groups of people. For example, SEND insert message [[TO] insert username or number of the station].

4. Add additional people who will receive the message by adding the following to the end of the syntax: [[AND|,] username or connection number]. For example: SEND Turn in expense reports today TO Bob, Julia, Evan.

5. Send messages by workstation numbers if you choose. Example: SEND Meeting begins at noon TO 6, 2, 70.

6. Leave the username blank to send the message to everyone on the server.

Use a Workstation to Send Messages to Other Workstations

7. Prepare ahead of time by setting up lists of groupnames. Groupnames will allow you to send a message to any number of people without having to list each person or computer individually.

8. Use the same type of syntax used to send messages from the server console. For example, SEND [message [TO] [username, groupname, server name]]. SEND Today's meeting time changed to two pm TO Accountants.

9. Combine usernames, groupnames and server names in any combination separated with a comma. For example, SEND John will be out of town tomorrow afternoon TO Sue, Programmers, 16 .

10. Use the word "everyone" to send messages out to all of the people on the server.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a server console or a workstation to send messages to anyone currently attached to the server.
• Early versions of Novell software used the "BROADCAST" command to send messages but newer versions use the "SEND" command.
• Skip adding the quotations marks to messages if you plan to send them to all users.
• Make sure you double check the end users of the messages you send so messages go to the proper person.