thelinuxlink.net

After listening to your conversation with Eric and thinking about some of my experiences, I am longing for a simple way to connect Linux computers and Windows Computers on a Peer to Peer Network. Perhaps this is one area that could be easier.

Background:
I'm not a computer network admin. I don't even need to use computers for my job if I didn't want to, although I do like them with my job. I've been using Linux for about a year, and have a website running on a dynamic address dsl which is a little tricky. I've been attending LUG meetings, but most of the guys there aren't trying to network Windows and Linux on peer to peer. Some of them haven't even touched windows for years.
I have tried looking up information on this, but I don't have the time to read whole books for what I want.

Frustration:
I know my solution is setting up Samba. I run SimplyMepis which does a great job setting up Samba so you can see shares on Win boxes, but I don't know how to go about making it possible to set up shares on the Linux box which Windows machines can see. So client works, but samba server is beyond me right now. It seems like I would have to read 100 pages of "Using Samba" before that would tell me anything, and I haven't found a quick one or two page guide that gives nice step by step information for a new user. I also haven't found a graphical front end that does that. I've been told that Swat does that, but I'm not sure how to get a webserver front end to work easily either since it seems to involve editing a number of text config files.

I have Win95, Win98, WinXP Home, and WinXP Pro all talking to each other and able to do anything from any of the machines with file sharing. I want my Linux machines to join the fun.

Do I have a valid frustration with Desktop Linux considering the number of home peer to peer networks that people have now?

Am I just one of those dumb users that Linc talks about that shouldn't be using a computer?

Have I just not found the proper help that I need?

I don't have a problem reading the documentation, but reading a book or even a whole chapter seems a little extreme for what I want to do, considering in the Windows world I didn't read anything.

I bring this up because Eric got me thinking about what might scare me back to Windows, although I doubt I will go back now because I love no viruses and spyware. I still need Windows to run 1 program that only runs on it, and there is not a Linux equal or even in the making that I can see, and I have a few pieces of hardware that I still use (scanner, MP3 player) that only run from Windows.

mowestusa

mowestusa wrote:After listening to your conversation with Eric and thinking about some of my experiences, I am longing for a simple way to connect Linux computers and Windows Computers on a Peer to Peer Network. Perhaps this is one area that could be easier.

I agree with you there. Aside from Samba, there really isn't a good peer-to-peer networking technology (no I don't think nfs fits the bill here).

mowestusa wrote:Frustration:
I know my solution is setting up Samba. I run SimplyMepis which does a great job setting up Samba so you can see shares on Win boxes, but I don't know how to go about making it possible to set up shares on the Linux box which Windows machines can see. So client works, but samba server is beyond me right now. It seems like I would have to read 100 pages of "Using Samba" before that would tell me anything,

It's really not that difficult to do. I'll look some resources up for you or post some quick tips on getting this running when I get the chance.

I think one of the issues here with Samba documentation is that it is not really geared towards home users but meant for a business-type environment. Before tackling a Samba server, or any technology for that matter, it is good practice to get yourself familiar with the ins and outs of the technology before deploying it in a production environment. Hence the reasone they don't tell you right off the bat, "Here is how to share out your home directory."

mowestusa wrote: I've been told that Swat does that, but I'm not sure how to get a webserver front end to work easily either since it seems to involve editing a number of text config files.

I'm not sure about the inner working of mepis, but getting swat to work is pretty easy. I'll have to look into this too (on the mepis side). Using Swat is a bit more involved and will require you to read some documentation.

mowestusa wrote:Do I have a valid frustration with Desktop Linux considering the number of home peer to peer networks that people have now?

No, you have a point. But I also realize the security issues involved here.

mowestusa wrote:Am I just one of those dumb users that Linc talks about that shouldn't be using a computer?

I don't think so.

mowestusa wrote:Have I just not found the proper help that I need?

This sounds correct.

mowestusa wrote:I don't have a problem reading the documentation, but reading a book or even a whole chapter seems a little extreme for what I want to do, considering in the Windows world I didn't read anything.

I bring this up because Eric got me thinking about what might scare me back to Windows, although I doubt I will go back now because I love no viruses and spyware

I think part of the issue at hand here is that when you opt to do something like set up a home network it is expected that you invest some time in understanding exactly what you are doing. Just plunging in, while a great learning experience, and not fully understanding the technology and how it works leaves you open for problems. Hence the reason why there are a tremendous amount of viruses, worms, trojans and spyware on Windows.

Another part of the problem I can see here is that we are still in the area of Linux catering to the techie and not the home user. To that end, there has not been much of a cry for one-click networking.