Networking question

[Khephra]

I never had two computers that were worth connecting, but I do now. I'm not really sure about what exactly "networking" is, but what do I have to do so that two computers that are nearby can share the same files and internet connection?

[NYC Liberal]

1. Mac or PC?

[Khephra]

2. PC

[ET Awful]

6. Simplest way. . .

Make sure both are members of the same workgroup (not too hard to do).

Make sure both have an ethernet card.

Buy a cheap router with a built-in hub (no more than $50-$60 normally).

Plug both computers into router. The router will assign IP address to the computers. The router will also connect to your cable modem and allow both computers to share the connection.

That's really all there is to it if you put it in really general terms.

[agates]

3. What kind of internet connection?

How much do you want to spend? What is "nearby?" Close enough to run cables or are there walls in the way?

[Khephra]

4. Distance: from the end of one "L" shaped table to the other

Speed: cable.

[Khephra]

5. Price...well, hopefully not that much, but tell me the range

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

7. Price?

Sheesh, not much for a hardwired router. Goto http://www.newegg.com and look for routers and do some pricing. Furthermore, a router/firewall is good to have for your cable connection. Keeps you safe.

Oh, good brands are Linksys, Netgear, DLink, Belkin, USRobotics. But there are others.

For real fun, get yourself an old PentiumII computer with 2 network cards, a reasonably small hard drive, a CDROM drive and 128 megs of ram. And a 10/100 switch. Load Smoothwall 2.0 into the old/new computer and have a real blast learning about Firewalls, routers and Linux. It's pretty easy and a lot of fun.

[agates]

9. Get a cheap router

Check deals on www.techbargains.com for a few days, also the Sunday ads. ET Awful above had it right. It really is pretty easy and well worth it. I might also suggest that you get a router with wireless capability. Even if you don't need it now, it isn't much more $$ and you'll probably want it sometime. You can leave the wireless turned off for now.

edit spelling

[landdaddy]

8. Newer PC's

usually have built in LAN ports. If yours do you will only need a router or switch and if you are running XP it's a piece of cake to set up as XP does it all for you.
on edit: I just bought a Dlink router from newegg for $59.00 inc. S&H