Networking Home PCS for Dummies [Paperback]

Kathy Ivens (Author)

Book Description

Series: --for Dummies | Publication Date: March 15, 1999

Tired of battling over who gets to use which computers at home? Don't feel like spending money on another modem and phone line or another hard drive or printer? Here's an idea -- set up your own home network. With expert advice from networking authority Kathy Ivens, you can quickly and easily figure out what you need to know to connect your PCs and peripherals (and save a great deal of money -- plus eliminate headaches -- in the process).

Networking Home PCs For Dummies gives you fast and friendly advice on how to

• Set up the hardware you need, from network interface cards to cables and connectors
• Configure software so your computers can talk to one another
• Create user profiles, personalize desktops, and establish passwords
• Access software -- or play games -- across your networked computers
• Share hardware, including drives, printers, and modems, among computers

Plus, the bonus CD-ROM included with Networking Home PCs For Dummies contains trial versions of several software programs (including NetNanny 3.1, WinZip 7.0, and anti-virus programs) that you may want to consider for your home network.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Kathy Ivens notes in the introduction to Networking Home PCs for Dummies, "I think that if you have more than one computer in your home, you should have a network." Ivens knows of what she speaks; as a columnist for Windows NT Magazine, she lives in the thick of the networked PC world. By linking together your computers, she observes, you eliminate the problem of remembering where a file is stored or whose turn it is on the Net. And you save money by routing all your machines to a single set of hardware like printers, scanners, etc.

Each chapter covers a single subject, such as "Installing Telephone Line Networking Hardware and Software," "Cabling the House," "Profiling Users," "Using Files on Remote Computers," "Sharing Printers," "Sharing Peripheral Drives," or "Sharing a Modem." The step-by-step instructions are frequently augmented with optional technical explanations, and chapters often provide "links" to other sections with related content. One caution: as long as you are a Windows 95 or 98 user, you are in good hands. All of the screen shots and procedures described involve Windows 95 and 98 software. But if you are a Mac user, Unix user, or Windows 3.x or NT user, you'll need to look elsewhere (though an appendix does explain how to add a Mac to a PC network). The book also includes a large glossary and a CD-ROM full of freeware, shareware, and evaluation software (including evaluation versions of Net Nanny and Norton Utilities). --Patrick O'Kelley

From the Back Cover

Home Networking Cheat Sheet Included!

Your Complete Guide to Networking Home PCs! Tired of haggling over who's going to check e-mail first? Don't want to spend any more money on another modem and phone line — or hard drive or printer for that matter? Set up a home network! With the expert advice of Kathy Ivens, you'll quickly and easily figure out what you need to know to connect your PCs and peripherals — and save a lot of money and headaches! Valuable Bonus CD Includes:

• Evaluation version of Net Nanny 3.1
• Shareware versions of WinZip 7.0 and ThunderBYTE AntiVirus 95 for Windows
• Trial versions of CleanSweep and Norton Utilities

Shareware programs are fully functional, free trial versions of copyrighted programs. If you like particular programs, register with their authors for a nominal fee and receive licenses, enhanced versions, and technical support. Freeware programs are free copyrighted games, applications, and utilities. You can copy them to as many PCs as you like — free — but they have no technical support. System Requirements: 486 or faster PC running Windows 95 or Windows 98; 16MB RAM (24 MB recommended); CD-ROM drive double speed (2x) or faster.

Inside, find helpful advice on how to:

• Set up the hardware you need — network interface cards, cables, and connectors
• Configure software so your computers can talk to one another
• Create user profiles, personalize desktops, and establish passwords
• Access software — and play games — across computers
• Share hardware — drives, printers, and modems
• Set up the hardware you need — network interface cards, cables, and connectors

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (March 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764504916
• ISBN-13: 978-0764504914
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,859,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kathy Ivens is the author of more than 50 computer books. She is a senior contributing editor forWindows IT Pro Magazine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Buy This Book!, January 16, 2000

By 

Stanley J. Radzewicz "radzewicz" (Jacksonville, Fl United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Networking Home PCS for Dummies (Paperback)

I've bought maybe 20 "Dummies" Books. Most of them are useful, some I even keep handy for reference. This one is a total waste of money. I read the other two reviews, and that prompted me to speak up on this one. This was the first time I was totally dissatisfied with a Dummies book.

This book should first be retitled "Netbuie for Dummies" and condensed from 330 down to 10 pages, because if you find even that much useful information in it you're doing well.

The only networking protocol it talks about is Netbuie, something that I (and most people) had already figured out intuitively and which can be spelled out in one double-spaced text page for somebody that doesn't understand it. And the book ONLY uses it, no tcp/ip, and you don't really get a valuable understanding of Netbuie or anything else.

It spends untold pages telling and showing you what the Windows wizards will already tell you. Do you really need 20 pages on setting up a shared printer? How about 70 pages on whether you should use cable or telephone line to hookup without one mention of installation. If you have a network card installed already start at page 71! If you've bought a hub or network kit, the included directions are likely to be more informative than this book. It doesn't even mention Hubs (except in the glossary)!
It NEVER MENTIONS TCP/IP. It never tells you anything about simple things like ftp or pinging between your machines. No conection sharing, no explanation of Client for MS Networks or Windows Login. Do you want to know the difference between a hub and a switch? You won't find it here.

Don't waste your money on this one. I'm not reviewing this from an outside reviewers point of view, I bought this book and tried to use it. I wound up buying another book.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Dummies book ever written., April 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Networking Home PCS for Dummies (Paperback)

I've bought a lot of Dummies books, and always found they were terrific for getting started with new software. I learn the basics well enough to get my work done, and later I can move on to more advanced topics.

But this book gave me more than basics. The writer explains things so clearly, it's like she's drawing pictures with words. You not only learn what to do, you learn why. Everything is put into context, it all makes such sense, that you almost feel as if you have an expert standing next to you. Even the typical Dummies "humor" is more subtle and more intelligent in this book. Each sentence is so clear and well explained that I didn't have to reread any instructions. I built a home network, then I built home networks for two other homes. The writing in this book is so clear that I could probably start a business of home networking now. This writer is incredibly good, she never talks down to the reader, she just "chats" with you (and it's an intelligent, interesting, amusing conversation).

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of Clear Writing, April 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Networking Home PCS for Dummies (Paperback)

The level of clarity in the writing of this book should be used as a standard for all computer book writers. Kathy Ivens' writing makes you feel as if she's standing over your shoulder, explaining every step. I learned something on every page. Following her directions was a breeze, and I had absolutely no problems, every step I took to build a home network worked exactly as she said it would.