SNDMSG

SNDMSG is a command-line utility that originated on Novell NetWare networks as a means to deliver short text messages to another user on the same network. It was commonly used by system administrators and users to quickly alert someone about an event, task, or status without composing an email.

Function and use

SNDMSG sends a message to a specified recipient's NetWare session. The command typically requires a user login name and a message string. When the target user is online and the messaging service is available, the message appears on the recipient’s workstation. If the recipient is offline or the messaging service is unavailable, the command may return an error or fail silently, depending on the NetWare version and configuration.

Typical syntax

SNDMSG recipient "message text"

- recipient: the login name or user identifier of the recipient.

- "message text": the content to display to the recipient, often enclosed in quotes.

Example

SNDMSG JDOE "Server maintenance at 3 PM today."

This would deliver the note to user JDOE if they are connected.

Context and history

SNDMSG was part of NetWare’s suite of utilities distributed with NetWare client and server packages in the late 1980s through the 1990s. It reflects an era when local network messaging and presence were common features before modern email and instant messaging systems became ubiquitous. As NetWare declined and network messaging evolved, dedicated NetWare messaging tools were gradually replaced by newer solutions on other platforms.

See also

NetWare, NetSend, network messaging, client utilities.