ReadMe.txt

NetPoke v1.2
Not Quite Ready For Prime Time

NetPoke 1.2 works.  It works great.  The only thing lacking 
is documentation, an installer, license info, etc.  Here's some
quick and dirty documentation to get you going.


Quick start:
  Run NetPokeClient.exe on Computer-1
  Run NetPoke.exe on Computer-2 (or Computer-1)
  Enter the IP address of Computer-1 in the dialog
  Enter a URL to open.
  Click Broadcast.
  Check that the browser opened on Computer-1.


What does it do?
  NetPoke is used to broadcast messages to one or more computers
  on a TCP/IP network (ie. most LANs, WANs and the internet).  The 
  message is sent as a URL which is loaded on the Client computers
  in the default browser.

What do I need to support it?
  Well, you need a web server on your LAN, or an internet connection
  that will be active when the message is sent.  All the Client 
  software does is open up a browser with the URL you specified.  That
  might cause the Client computer to start dialing.  It's up to you
  to sort this kind of stuff out.  Try it and see how it works.

How many computers can I broadcast to?
  As many as you can fit on your LAN.  Well, as many as you can get
  a broadcast IP address for.  NetPoke uses UDP broadcast packets
  to get the message out, so your LAN/WAN/Internet has to support
  UDP (port 0x4EB5).  You don't have to use broadcast, but if you
  don't you're only going to be sending to one client at a time.

What's a broadcast address?
  That's an address that all computers on your LAN will respond to.
  It's formed by taking the bitwise inverse of your netmask and 
  ORing it with your local IP address.  For example,
     IP: 192.168.1.20
	 Netmask: 255.255.255.0
  Your inverted netmask is 0.0.0.255.  You "OR" this with your IP
  address (set all the 1's) and get 192.168.1.255 as your broadcast
  address.

When I run NetPokeClient, nothing happens.
  NetPokeClient is running.  It's just invisible.  Check your task
  manager to be sure.  You can unload it with NetPokeClient -u.


This is PREVIEW SOFTWARE.
You may not upload it to file sharing sites.
You may not use it in a commercial, public or non-profit environment
without obtaining licensing from the author.
You may use it all you want on your private, personal network.

Send any questions or comments to netpoke@phord.com