Samba networking, want to be able to send a message to people who look at shares
 

G'day guys
I've been trying to research unsuccessfully for a way to send a message to anyone who accesses my Linuxbox set up as a Samba sharing station. Basically i'm learning about linux ATM and i'm not that good. Enough to be dangerous some might say.

Anyway this is what I would like to do.

Right now I have one linuxbox setup as a samba workgroup (no domain just standard workgroup). I have about 7 people who use this glorified NAS system for things like stored video, pics, music, etc.

What I would like to do is whenever I update the various shares like I add another picture to the folder pics I want them to navigate to (in my case) \\192.168.1.17 and see not only the various shares but also a message that tells them whats been updated recently.

Maybe its a dream, but I thought with the knowledge out there its worth a shot.

Anyway I just want to say thanks for all the help this site especially has been to getting through a few headaches.

Have a great day.
Steve

Do you know how to shell script. I would do ls -ltr pipe out what you want (most liky by date). Then paste that out to a text file of some sort. Being that this is a share you can't really send a message. That would require something like a logon so you can paste it to there MOTD or .bash_profile.

To be honest no I don't know how to shell script, i've dabbled with scripting in reference to Logon Scripts basically just editing what other people have to suit my needs. I figured that it wouldn't be possible, not required but would be nice and kinda cool...

I don't want to make a domain at my place, just for the sake of they take their computers out of home and unnecessary headaches are caused when really it can work just fine as a network.

Cheers though mate

An instant messaging server like jabber would work. To send the message when the clients are connected you would need to monitor smbstatus.
Obviously everyone would need to install a jabber client and be online to receive a broadcast message.

Thanks michaelk,
what client would you suggest? Has to be cross platform Mac/Linux/Windows...
cheers
steve

I've never used jabber so I can not recommend a client. A client is available for all three operating systems.

Ok I believe I'm trying to walk before I can crawl, I understand the ability of these clients to connect to multiple IM's all in the one program yet I fail to see how this would help me, couldn't I just use MSN and than IM people like that...

Yes. that would work too.

ok well obviously it won't work how I thought it would so thanks anyway...

I found a way to provide the information but unfortunately not on access. Basically I set up a Ventrilo Server on the LinuxBox and the related clients log in and in the MOTD (Message of The Day) I can as the administrator change when I get new content to share.

So even though its not as I hoped it works ok. Plus you get the added feature of being able to chat with who is online both text based and through voip. Ventrilo is a great program.

Thanks all for your input.