First: You have to be able to connect the computers as a network. There are several ways this can be accomplished depending on the number of computers. If only two computers, they can be connected by a direct Ethernet connection, a direct serial connection, or by wireless transmission. If more than 2 computers they can be connected through a hub device by either Ethernet or wireless hardware. Wireless is more expensive but saves the headache of trying to run cable.

Second: You will need software to run the network. If you are using Windows operating systems most of the software is included. Once the hardware is installed and the computes are connected, you should now have an Icon on the desktop called Network Neighborhood. Right click on this Icon and go to properties. Click on the tab called Identification and enter a Workgroup name that will be the same on all your computers. Enter a unique name for the Computer name. After rebooting the computers double click on Network Neighborhood and all the computers in that workgroup should be represented by their unique computer name.

Third: Sharing resources. Now that the network is up and running you will want to share resources. They may include printers, files, drives and of course that new high speed internet connection. To share the printers and drives you will need to right click on the Network Neighborhood icon. On the configuration tab click on the File and Print sharing button, a box will pop up, then click on which type of sharing you want to give others. Later you will right click on a drive or a printer to set up sharing for that particular device.

Sharing the internet connection is more complicated. If you have Windows 98 second edition or higher you can use Microsoft’s Internet Connection sharing package. To be honest have not been able to get this package to work. If you do not have Windows 98 second edition or want and easier solution, you have to purchase a package. I recommend a package called WinProxy. This package sets up the computer with the high-speed connection as a host computer. You then direct the other computers (clients) internet application toward the proxy server. Now all your computers can be browsing the internet at the same time.

For more information on Microsoft internet sharing go to www.Microsoft.com search for articles Q238135 and Q234815. For more information on WinProxy go to winproxy.com. Other sites to check are winroute.com and articles on the web by PC Magazine. — Gary Iverson