The talk command opens an interactive conversation between two users. The syntax for this is $ talk user@host.

The next command initiates a conversation with user2 on their workstation:

    $ talk user2@workstation2.example.com

After typing the talk command, your terminal session is cleared and split into two windows. In one of the windows, you'll see text like this:

    [Waiting for your party to respond]

The person you're trying to talk to will see a message like this:

    Message from Talk_Daemon@workstation1.example.com
    talk: connection requested by user1@workstation.example.com
    talk: respond with talk user1@workstation1.example.com

When they invoke talk, their terminal session will also be cleared and split. What you type will appear in one window on their screen and what they type will appear on yours:

    I need to reboot the database server.
    How much longer will your processing take?
    ---------------------------------------------
    90% complete. Should be just a couple more minutes.