LANcet Chat

Instant messaging tools rely on a server to route the conversation to destination, which implies some resources. LAN communication, on the other hand, needs just the clients because the messages are sent directly to the necessary IP address.

LANcet Chat is a utility that enables LAN clients to communicate to each other without having to resort to complicated configurations.

The program works out of the box and does not require to be installed on the system. Simply double-click the executable file and the main application window pops up in no time.

At the first launch there is a brief configuration panel that allows selecting the gender, enabling chat history and choosing the location of the log file.

The main application window is far from being a fancy one. Only the most necessary options are available, such as the list of connected contacts, the message screen and the typing field.

There are two communication modes, one that addresses the entire list of contacts and the other that allows private conversation.

Users can enhance the conversation by using emoticons; there is a short list available comprising the most frequently used icons.

Additional options present in the application touch on customization of the font by changing its color, size and style.

LANcet Chat appears to have been created for employees that needed an effective way to talk to each other without their boss finding out; if this is the case there is an “anti-boss” key that can minimize the chat screen to the system tray area in a jiffy.

There isn’t much flexibility as far as the configuration panel is concerned as the developer included options of minimum complexity. Setting up the program is no more difficult than using it.

It sports settings for customizing alerts (visual and audio) for a new message or for new connections and for the action to be taken when the “anti-boss” key is pressed.

LANcet Chat is far from being a feature-rich instant messaging client but it provides the basic options for enabling LAN communication.