This is a new feature in Mac OS 8.6. AppleShare servers alert connected clients whenever there is a change in network status (if a server shuts down, for example). These alerts now time out. After a two-minute delay, the alert is dismissed and the message text from the alert is appended to the end of the "AppleShare Server Messages" file located on the desktop. If the AppleShare Server Messages file is not on the desktop, a new file is created.