How to get the word out?

[kenp21]

I have about 200 computers in the organization here. Due to certain
restrictions, we have no e-mail and no messaging client on the systems
and they are not connected to the internet.
E-mail is handled with other means.

Some of the users of this intranetwork do not log off at night time,
which proposes issues when I need to update the machine and reboot it.
All machines are XP and have the same base line.

Without email and MSN messanger how can I send out a communication to
all workstations about system changes so that they will logoff their
workstations that night, or at least cover my rear when the
installation reboots their workstation?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Net Send
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/net_send.mspx

How to use the Net Send command
http://www.lantalk.net/net-send-command/

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| I have about 200 computers in the organization here. Due to certain
| restrictions, we have no e-mail and no messaging client on the systems
| and they are not connected to the internet.
| E-mail is handled with other means.
|
| Some of the users of this intranetwork do not log off at night time,
| which proposes issues when I need to update the machine and reboot it.
| All machines are XP and have the same base line.
|
| Without email and MSN messanger how can I send out a communication to
| all workstations about system changes so that they will logoff their
| workstations that night, or at least cover my rear when the
| installation reboots their workstation?

 

[kenp21]

Our security guys want the messanger service to remain disabled.
Therefore, all the workstations will ignore net sends...

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Use the old fashioned method and distribute a "paper" memorandum.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| Our security guys want the messanger service to remain disabled.
| Therefore, all the workstations will ignore net sends...

 

[Steve N.]

I have about 200 computers in the organization here. Due to certain
restrictions, we have no e-mail and no messaging client on the systems
and they are not connected to the internet.
E-mail is handled with other means.

Some of the users of this intranetwork do not log off at night time,
which proposes issues when I need to update the machine and reboot it.
All machines are XP and have the same base line.

Without email and MSN messanger how can I send out a communication to
all workstations about system changes so that they will logoff their
workstations that night, or at least cover my rear when the
installation reboots their workstation?

Sneaker-net. Hard-copy memos.

Steve N.

 

[NoStop]

Use the old fashioned method and distribute a "paper" memorandum.

Geez, I wonder why the OP didn't think of this brilliant idea? Maybe he
could FAX each of his users? Or how about lighting a fire in a trashbin and
then sending smoke signals? Or maybe he could use carrier pigeons?

I must admit, you're one smart guy Carey when it comes to giving MVP advice
around here.

 

[Leythos]

I have about 200 computers in the organization here. Due to certain
restrictions, we have no e-mail and no messaging client on the systems
and they are not connected to the internet.
E-mail is handled with other means.

Some of the users of this intranetwork do not log off at night time,
which proposes issues when I need to update the machine and reboot it.
All machines are XP and have the same base line.

Without email and MSN messanger how can I send out a communication to
all workstations about system changes so that they will logoff their
workstations that night, or at least cover my rear when the
installation reboots their workstation?

Send out a single notice and then don't worry about it - it's their own
dang fault for not disconnecting. We manage a LOT of workstations and we
do it remotely, users know that they must logout during non-business
hours or risk corruption - it usually only takes one corrupted file for
them to learn.

 

[Marc]

Maybe you could setup a Task Scheduler item (or use a 3rd party app) to log
them off automatically at a preset time?

Marc

 

[Mike Fields]

One option that is sort of a spin on a method
I used a while back for something else would be
to have a task running on each machine that
periodically checks for a specific file on a server.
If found, it could display the contents of the file
or just shutdown the machine. The specified
file would have to be in a folder on the server
that was read only (except for you) to prevent
the local practical jokers from doing something.

mikey

 

[kenp21]

I believe I am going to go with the smoke signals with pigeons in case
the trashcan fails.

In reality... I found some information about NotifyIconData (vb .net
api for those windows balloon messages). It would be possible to
develop a client to reside on all the workstations that would be
capable of receiving messages. In the interim, I convinced our security
guys that the message service isn't bad.

 

[kenp21]

Or possibly use RSS feeds. Setup a server to send out feeds to the
clients and then have active client that are hidden that will receive
the feeds.

 

[Mike Fields]

When I did this sort of thing at work, it was for a big database
that I sometimes had to chase people out of. When I
created my "flag file", a big form popped up on the
machines with a "Mr. Yuk" sticker on it (the symbol for
kids to leave alone for those not familiar with it). People
suggested I could also put a flagpole above my desk with
a "Mr. Yuk" sticker on it I could hoist when I needed to ...

mikey