several unix utilites allow you do communicate with other users on your syste or on the network they work like instant messaging on linux systems.

often, workstations attached to your sytem are located great distances apart. a utitliy provides a means of communications among the workstations. if you want to conatc another user who is logged on, you can send a message to that workstation. this is most uselful if you and a colleague are using terminals that are adjacent so you can see what happens on each screen. if that is not possible, use your login and communicate to your own screen.

so lets say for example i have a co-worker and his username on the network is called lali458 and i want to send her a message that says "Hi lali, how are you?" this is how i would do it

write lali458 [Hit Enter -- dont type this]

Hi lali, how are you

now hit CTRL-D to end.

thats it