need help client server thingy

[flyhigh]

i need some help as where to start
im writing a program for me and my nephews computer to put a window on the desk top when both of us are on line so we can type in messages between each other is there a way to do this and still be able to use the internet explorer at the same time?
examples would help immensely or links im lost when it comes to that stuff
thanks

[Atheist]

What language will you be using for this project?

[flyhigh]

oh sorry vb6

[flyhigh]

is a chat program the same as a server client program?

[Atheist]

Server-client is just an architecture, where there is 1 or more machines acting as servers (delegating messages, handling connections etc), and numerous clients connected to these servers.
A chat program can very well be made with a Client-Server architecture.

[flyhigh]

hi there
is it possable to get the server to send its ip address back to the client?

and will that work on a home network as well as across internet?
thanks

[Monkz]

Yes it can send its ip adress, and yes it can work on a home network and across internet.

[Atheist]

hi there
is it possable to get the server to send its ip address back to the client?

and will that work on a home network as well as across internet?
thanks

Why would the server need to send its IP to the client? The client must've known the servers IP in the first place, in order for them to be connected.