Instant messaging with ePOP

Introduction

As of May 2001, I think ePOP 2.x is the best Windows-based, peer-to-peer instant messaging application. Release 3 is in beta, and turns ePOP into Jabber (ie. server-based, and the server application can run on Linux.)

Installation and use

  1. Install ePOP 2.x on each host
  2. Select Actions | Options, followed by clicking on the Features tab: Uncheck options Remote Admin and Remote Control to forbid other users from managing this host remotely through the network
  3. IMPORTANT : Close and restart ePOP to apply this change.

Don't worry--WiredRed also takes security into account. Network administrators can modify E/pop's .exe file using the program's Control Panel application before distributing the software to end users on the network--so Sam in Shipping won't be able to commandeer Jenny's PC in Accounts Payable.

Aside from implementing security controls, the Control Panel lets administrators deactivate options and remove features for networked E/pop users, while maintaining those features for themselves. Users who try to circumvent security by downloading a fresh copy of E/pop from the Internet will be disappointed: Since the global password will not match what's already installed, the software will abort.

Q:  What is the e/pop control panel and how does it work?
A: The e/pop control panel is a unique configuration utility designed for the e/pop program.  It can actually modify the EPOP.EXE to work exactly as you desire.  This modified EPOP.EXE can then be distributed to users on your network.  One or more EPOP.EXE variations can be distributed throughout your network, providing different levels of access for different users.  For instance, normal users might not have the features to send remote run commands, whereas the help desk might have a different EPOP.EXE that has these capabilities.

Alternatives

Here's a list of Windows-based alternatives that I tested. In addition, you should check open-source solution Jabber.

It's about time we set up a private group instant messaging system. Unfortunately, open-source project Jabber does not easily support group chat (ie. chat with certain hosts only), and setting up clients is a pain as it requires subscribing to every single host to build one's "rogue" list.

The following are Windows-based applications, ie. uses the Network Neighborhood to locate other hosts. Jabber's strong point is that it's server-based, and has clients for different platforms.

More infos @ http://www.rocketdownload.com/details/feat/ChatMessengerChannel/chatmessg.htm


e/Pop
http://www.wiredred.com/
Limité 30 jours. Remote control. UI Outlook Vraiment pas mal! DONE
50 licences = $1,000

Collaboration at warp speed
http://www2.infoworld.com/articles/eu/xml/00/05/29/000529eutca.xml?Template=/storypages/printarticle.html

E/pop: A Good Chat Over the LAN
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/printable/article/0,aid,11562,00.asp

Son of WinPop: E/pop Delivers Directory-Enabled Collaboration
http://www.networkcomputing.com/shared/printArticle?article=nc/1015/1015sp2.html&pub=nwc

VyPress Messenger
http://www.vypress.com/messenger.asp
Commercial. Multicast OK, mais sélection destinataires très malcommode par CTRL. Interface bof. DONE
Licences 
1..49 $12.90 US 
50..99 = $8.50 US par poste

Sonork
http://www.sonork.com/eng/default.htm
Commercial. Nécessite un SGBD (Either one of these ODBC compliant SQL servers : MS-Access, MySQL, MS-SQL) DONE

iCU 3.52
http://www.mhsoftware.demon.co.uk/icu/icu_main_details.htm
Shareware. Unicast. DONE

Flash Messaging System
http://www.flashmessage.com/
Commercial. Interface bof. Plutôt destiné à call centers. DONE

ChatZilla
http://chatzilla.com/
Interface bof.  IRC-type? DONE

Gox Box
http://www.cornerstonenetwork.com/cybercafe/screenshot.htm
Gratuit ou $35. Unicast ou broadcast only. DONE

1StePost
http://www.1stepost.com/index.htm
Shareware. Pas trouvé de FTP dispo pour le downloader. DONE

Bassline WinPopUP
http://member.iworld.net/bassline/
50-day evaluation. Requires Messenger service. GPF when starting. DONE

LTC Instant Messenger
http://www.loggytronic.com/ltc/index.html
Commercial. Unicast/broadcast. DONE

DBabble
http://www.netwinsite.com/dbabble/index.htm
Commercial. Apparemment similaire à IRC (pour conversation privées -> créer groupe). DONE

Pink Notes Plus
http://www.pinknotesplus.com/
Shareware. It really IS pink... Une machine joue le rôle de serveur. Multicast a l'air OK, mais interface trop compliquée (orientée messages téléphoniques) DONE

PeopleLink
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10060-100-902237.html?tag=st.dl.10001-103-2.lst-7-4.902237
Nécessite accès serveur publique sur le Net? DONE

Personal Network Communicator
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10060-100-889091.html?tag=st.dl.10001-103-1.lst-7-21.889091
VB-based. Requires reboot. Requires adding buddies manually. DONE

PalTalk 
http://www.paltalk.com/paltalk/index.html
Freeware. Plutôt orienté chat texte et son. Utilise serveur sur Internet. DONE

WinPop Plus
http://www.sharewarejunkies.com/8w3/winpop_plus.htm
Limité à 60 jours. Unicast ou broadcast. Fait par la même boîte que e-Pop? DONE

WinSend 2000
http://www.winsend2000.com/
Commercial.  VB-based. Terrible interface. Requires adding contacts. DONE

IceWare Instant Messenger
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10060-100-1841272.html?tag=st.dl.10001-103-4.lst-7-16.1841272
Requires registration. Requires a remote server. Very similar to Jabber (unicast or pain-in-the-ass multicast, as it requires adding contacts.) DONE

Digital Pad
http://www.rocketdownload.com/details/smal/digitalpad.htm
Freeware. VB-based. Ugly interface. Must add contacts. DONE

Hermes Messenger
http://www.dgdr.com/hermes/
Free. Requires adding contacts. DON

NoteNow
http://www.notenow.com/
Commercial. Interface +/- OK. Server ne permet pas de faire tourner l'appli cliente? DONE

PopMessage
http://www.atconsulting.com/
Freeware. VB-based. Interface bof. DONE

FindEm
http://www.atconsulting.com/
Commercial. Interface bof. DONE

CoolMessenger
http://www.cyberxing.com/products_cm.html
Commercial. Client et server. Nécessite de rajouter membres manuellement. DONE

Privateline Demo
Commercial. Encryption.

Express Messaging 2.0
http://www.acdsystems.com/english/products/express/index.htm

Web-4M
http://www.jdhtech.com/index.html

Network Assistant
http://www.yaasoft.com/nassi/index.html