[FatBlokeInLondon]

We have a single-user sub to an online resource that a team of fifteen people all use. (Yes, we're cheapskates!). If multiple use is detected, the publisher will get cross, so the users take turns to use the system

Currently, we notify each other by a group email if we're in [the application] andwhen we leave [the application]. Means that we get forty emails a day notifying that people are in or out of [the application].

Here's the question. Can we set up a toggle button or similar that sits on the systray, or some other very visible part of the desktop, which indicates whether anyone is using [the application], and can be toggled by each user to indicate that they're going in or going out of [the application]? Is there a piece of freeware that does this? Can we use some functionality within Windows 2000 or Exchange?

Sorry, I'm not technical enough to know what info I need to give about our systems.

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and these users are alll....where? the same LAN, spread out all over Europe?

[gerryf]

and these users are alll....where? the same LAN, spread out all over Europe?

[FatBlokeInLondon]

and these users are alll....where? the same LAN, spread out all over Europe?

All on the same LAN, on the same site, and within spitting distance of each other.

[FatBlokeInLondon]

Is bumping acceptable on this board? probably not. oh well.

[gerryf]

bumping is fine....as you can tell, the forum moves fast and it is tough to remember what's active and what isn't.

Since you're on a lan, and if all the PCs are NT, you could use the messenger service built in to windows.

The simplest version of this, I think in your case, might be two little batch files on each users desk, call them ON and OFF

On would look like this:
net send * /domain:{whatever the workgroup name is} I'm on
or better SALLY IS ON...

Off would look like this:
net send * /domain:{whatever the workgroup name is} I'm off

When you are about to start a session, click ON and everyone in the workgroup gets a popup that says
MESSAGE FROM {computer name} to WORKGROUPNAME
"SALLY IS ON"
with a little beep.

You could leave that on as a reminder, or click OK to close it

Then when sally is done, she clicks OFF, and everyone gets
MESSAGE FROM {computer name} to WORKGROUPNAME
"SALLY IS OFF"
with a little beep.

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

There are also some programs out there that put a more elegant face on the net send

My Send it comes to mind.....sure there are others.

How would that do?

[FatBlokeInLondon]

Thanks. Good suggestion - not asure that a messanger popup wouldn't be even more intrusive than an email, though.

It would be nicer if there was just a weenie red light or green light on the systray, so that it was easy to check if you wanted to, but that otherwise you weren't distracted by 40 messanger popups or emails a day.

[gerryf]

the only alternatives i can find that would work for you at little or no cost would be an old PC Mag utility

http://www.pcmag.com...49,74302,00.asp
free- but looks like some work to set up

schedulelan $45
http://www.shareware...ct.php?id=15806

and

in out board $25
http://www.glassbead.com/inoutboard/

[gerryf]

take it back...this looks like exactly what you need

http://www.realpopup.it/features.html

[FatBlokeInLondon]

Fantastic. Bet this can be configured in the right way.

Many thanks.