linking/networking pc's....whats easy ?

Carpetpaul said: "I currently have a laptop which I use for my webdesign stuff, I have another pc also, which I could put to good use at the same time. I'm not sure if these machines have got network cards (if that is a requirement. Answer me this....... why is it so easy to plug a digi camera into any pc, download and upload to it, write a cd in one machine and slot it into the other.....great, no problems......why is it not just a simple matter of plugging a cable from one to the other and shoving the information down it ? Do I 'Need' these 'router' 'switchy' thingies and more gubbins in both pc's just to be able to do this ? cheers Any help with helping me understand why this isnt as easy as it should be would be great ! Paul"

Darksat said: "Ok, what operating systems are you using and what do you want to do, share net connection, share files, share printing?"

Carpetpaul said: "Both pc's on Windows xp home. Laptop is Pentium and the desktop is AMD Athlon, but I don't suppose that matters I'm mainly interested in bieng to treat it like a second hard drive.....so I can work on one pc and then (ideally) go to my computer and select the other pc drive as if it were a cd drive or other device you have plugged into your usb. It would be quite handy if both pc's could access the same internet connection (at the same time) cheers - Paul"

edwin said: "you can get a kit at the computer store for around $99 that will hook everything up and is quite easy."

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