Network chat across two Macs

[zen]

I guess the answer to this might be iChat, but I've got two iMacs on my home network. My wife and I work on them, usually at the same time, and it would be great if we could just open a quick chat window to swap small files, links and bits of text back and forth as we work. At the moment we use the Finder and copy, paste, drag, etc. But there must be a quicker way.

Back in the olde days there used to be a network message thing you could use. I guess iChat would be easiest if we both set up a login each and keep it running in the background?

 

[EricNau]

You can use iChat through Bonjour.

 

[ID_Field_Blank]

Or you could both log into skype. Just as easy

 

[belvdr]

I'd recommend iChat through Bonjour over SKype in this scenario, as it keeps your connections local and there's no need to login to a 3rd party server on the Internet.

 

[richard.mac]

if the OP is unsure on how to use Bonjour for IM just fire up iChat on both Macs and in the Window menu click on "Bonjour List" and accept the dialogue window that comes up.

 

[zen]

Wow, iChat over Bonjour? Awesome, will give it a go, thanks!

 

[reallyoldman]

zen, I realize this thread is 11 years old, but I'd like to be able to do exactly what you were talking about and I'm wondering if you are still doing it and if so how?

 

[hallux]

@reallyoldman the OP, zen, does not appear to have posted to the forums in a year, they are unlikely to see your message.

Things have changed dramatically over the last 11 years. For files you could use AirDrop. Sharing links or text would probably be best done through Messages.