Easy way to do a MOTD in Windows?

Dman33 · 04-05-2005, 06:38 AM

I am curious if there is an easy way to implement a POP-UP MOTD for the client machines on my network. They all run win 2000 or higher. Ideally, i would have a flat file with 30 - 50 'tips' or messages for the users. When they log on, they would get a simple window with the message.

I guess I could do this with a script in Kixtart or something, but I was wondering if there was something better out there that would do the same thing....

doolittle · 04-05-2005, 11:46 PM

what kind of network are you running, active directory?
you can set up login messages thru the windows security policys. if i remember right, server has some kind of wizard for advanced setups.
im not sure what motd stands for exactly. i hope this awnsers your question.

Dman33 · 04-06-2005, 09:21 AM

Sorry, MOTD is for Message of the Day. We were hoping to have a file with about 50 'Tips' on the network. When logging on, we wanted a random 'Tip' to pop up. I imagine I could script something out but I was hoping to not re-create the wheel since my plate is full as it is and the project is very low priority. (PHB had an idea, and now it is my task.)

Anyway, yes it is AD 2003 Native with Windows 2000 clients.

Jcranmer · 04-06-2005, 01:14 PM

There is a spot in the windows registry where you can put a logon message. It will pop up right after they enter thier password.

However I don't have an easy way to randomly pick something out of a text file each time. I suppose you could write something that would randomly pick a line out of that file and re-write the reg key, but frankly that might end up being more of a pain then it's worth.

If you did write something you could create a schedule that would run the program ever so many hours or whatever you like.

I just did a little google searching and came up with somethings that might help. Take a look at this: http://www.catfood.net/products/fortune/

Is that won't do it, here are a bunch more products like it:
http://www.totalshareware.com/asp/li...w.asp?catid=43

04-05-2005, 06:38 AM	#1
Dman33 Lieutenant Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: New York Posts: 324	Easy way to do a MOTD in Windows? I am curious if there is an easy way to implement a POP-UP MOTD for the client machines on my network. They all run win 2000 or higher. Ideally, i would have a flat file with 30 - 50 'tips' or messages for the users. When they log on, they would get a simple window with the message. I guess I could do this with a script in Kixtart or something, but I was wondering if there was something better out there that would do the same thing....

04-05-2005, 11:46 PM	#2
doolittle Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 910	what kind of network are you running, active directory? you can set up login messages thru the windows security policys. if i remember right, server has some kind of wizard for advanced setups. im not sure what motd stands for exactly. i hope this awnsers your question. __________________ Bill Gates "We'll never be as cool as them. Every conference you go to, there they are dressed in black, and no one is cooler!"

04-06-2005, 01:14 PM	#4
Jcranmer Commander Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Pekin, IN Posts: 1,377	There is a spot in the windows registry where you can put a logon message. It will pop up right after they enter thier password. However I don't have an easy way to randomly pick something out of a text file each time. I suppose you could write something that would randomly pick a line out of that file and re-write the reg key, but frankly that might end up being more of a pain then it's worth. If you did write something you could create a schedule that would run the program ever so many hours or whatever you like. I just did a little google searching and came up with somethings that might help. Take a look at this: http://www.catfood.net/products/fortune/ Is that won't do it, here are a bunch more products like it: http://www.totalshareware.com/asp/li...w.asp?catid=43 Last edited by Jcranmer : 04-06-2005 at 01:21 PM.

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04-06-2005, 09:21 AM	#3
Dman33 Lieutenant Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: New York Posts: 324	Sorry, MOTD is for Message of the Day. We were hoping to have a file with about 50 'Tips' on the network. When logging on, we wanted a random 'Tip' to pop up. I imagine I could script something out but I was hoping to not re-create the wheel since my plate is full as it is and the project is very low priority. (PHB had an idea, and now it is my task.) Anyway, yes it is AD 2003 Native with Windows 2000 clients.

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