I've got two windows machines, two macs, and one linux machine. I want to be able to share all of these over the network. (i.e. Share music, copy files from machine to machine)

Any suggestions?

Try using a site called https://secure.logmein.com/welcome/get_logmein_free/signup.asp, it's like Go To My PC, but free.
You can do a free installation, but make sure that it says "Log Me In Free." This is all I personally know how to get a network situation going, although it's not a true network setup. This site enables you to log in to one computer from another (not sure if it supports Linux though). Once you log in, a window opens that displays the computer you are logged into, allowing you to manipulate files & such on both ends. This is the best I can do (I have family that knows how to actually network, but they would charge).

I appreciate it, but I'm not really looking for access outside of my home. I just want something that will easily allow me to move files from one machine to the next (at local speeds).

Why not buy an external hard drive then? That's what I do... it's useful when going from PC to Mac & vice versa. Acomdata (Hybrid Drive) is what I use because it treats itself like a regular thumb drive in terms of not having to specifically format for one operating system, unless you choose to do such. If you think it may help, here's the site:
http://www.acomdata.com/hdp/fs.html

Go wireless. Just get a wireless router\Hub and a couple of cheap wireless cards. Easy. ( as long as your walls aren't thick concrete) Saves you punching holes in your walls.

You can also wire up and transmit via the electrical ports as well.

Why not buy an external hard drive then? That's what I do... it's useful when going from PC to Mac & vice versa. Acomdata (Hybrid Drive) is what I use because it treats itself like a regular thumb drive in terms of not having to specifically format for one operating system, unless you choose to do such. If you think it may help, here's the site:
http://www.acomdata.com/hdp/fs.html

I've got all of that situated. I have numerous portable/not so portable hard drives. I've just too many computers and it becomes a hassle to download things constantly.

Go wireless. Just get a wireless routerHub and a couple of cheap wireless cards. Easy. ( as long as your walls aren't thick concrete) Saves you punching holes in your walls.

You can also wire up and transmit via the electrical ports as well.

Right. I'm just not sure how to get all the computers to see one another. All the computers are on the network- I'm just haulted on sharing all the drives.

Try using a site called https://secure.logmein.com/welcome/get_logmein_free/signup.asp, it's like Go To My PC, but free.
You can do a free installation, but make sure that it says "Log Me In Free." This is all I personally know how to get a network situation going, although it's not a true network setup. This site enables you to log in to one computer from another (not sure if it supports Linux though). Once you log in, a window opens that displays the computer you are logged into, allowing you to manipulate files & such on both ends. This is the best I can do (I have family that knows how to actually network, but they would charge).

Rather than a setup like this, VNC is a decent remote desktop app that's cross platform. But I think he's looking for file sharing...

Ok, I'm no OSX Guru, but it looks like they have SAMBA for it (aka SMB).

They definitely have SAMBA for linux (I'm running it on this box).

Basically, SAMBA is a networking protocol designed to be compatible with windows file sharing.

So on the windows machines:
-Create a generic username (let's call it "winhouse") and make a password that everyone can share and remember.

Be sure to create this same user account on each windows machine.

-Share whichever folders you'd like

-Set permissions as you see fit

On the linux & OSX machines:
-Create the winhouse account again. However, instead of creating it on the machine itself, just create the user as a SAMBA user (not a login for that machine). Think of SAMBA as just an add-on program, whereas with Windows the usernames are integrated. Ya dig?

Create this same user account on each machine.

-Share whichever folders you'd like

-Set permissions as you see fit


To access one of these machines, type "\\ip_address_of_desired_machine" in the "run" dialog or file manager path bar. It will prompt you for your username and password.

Once you get everything working, consider making host files so you don't have to memorize IP addys.

yep what he said!! :)

first, what operating systems are you running example windows xp, vista, mac os9/10, Duse. Are the any of the computers in close proximity? Your best bet is to do a small network most likely wired and wireless and identify one of the computers as a file server to act as central repository for all your files. Also are any of the computers a laptop.

After you answer some of these questions I'll be able to help more.

4 of the computer are laptops none of which share proximity with one another. Running leopard (desktop), OS X, 2 on XP, and feisty (linux). The linux machine will be the main file dump but I want to be able to stream music from all the machines to it.

Assuming they can all ping each other, my suggestion should work fine.

Right on. I'll give yours a shot tonight.

I appreciate it, but I'm not really looking for access outside of my home. I just want something that will easily allow me to move files from one machine to the next (at local speeds).


Have you considered a NAS unit? It's basically like an external harddrive unit that connects to your router instead of a computer.... generally pretty easy to use.... although if You're gonna do that, it might be a good idea to have a good/fast gigabit router.