can someone point me to the right direction?

Could anyone give me a hand?
I have a project, where i have to to make a program that can send messages similar to the text messaging feature of cellular mobile phones. The only difference is we can use any means of tranmission; LAN, direct connection, Internet, or even using one computer and running the program simultaneously.
The problem is I don't know which protocol to use and where to begin. I have been looking for resources that can shed light to the topic but i can't seem to find anything. I was hoping someone could suggest a few sites or give me something i can use to get started on the whole thing

I believe everything uses TCP/IP to communicate over the internet (those mobile devices too, right?) so I would start there

Thanks for the tip been looking at that too. I also found something on DDE. Can i use DDE to communicate to more than one program simultaneously? Or does it only work in a one to one basis?

DDE is dead. Don't use it

I think the TCP/IP is what you´re looking for. And Clunietp is on the right track.

best regards PRGRMR

hehehe it is? good thing you told me. Thanks for the tip guys at least i'm getting somewhere. Any specific sites i should try? Or is it something i can easily get in any site
Again i appreciate the help hope i can return the favor =)