Millions of computers around the world today are connected by the Internet, so why is it still so hard to hook up a few PCs in you own home? Whether you want to share an Internet connection, install WiFi, or maybe just cut down on the number of printers you own, home networks are supposed to help make your life easier. Instead, most aspiring home networkers get lost in a confusing maze of terms and technologies: 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Cat 5 cable (or was it Cat 5e?), Powerline, and on and confusingly on. That's where Home Networking: The Missing Manual comes in. Using clear language, straightforward explanations, and a dash of humor, this book shows you how to do everything you need to set up a home network. Coverage includes: WiFi, Ethernet, or Powerline? There are several kinds of digital pipes that you can use to create your network, and none of them have friendly names. This book tells you what they are, explains the pros and cons of each, and helps you figure out what you need to buy, and how to install it. Windows and Mac info included. Half the battle in home networking takes place after you've bought your gear and plugged it in. That's because the routers, network adapters, and cables that you need get you only part way towards networking nirvana. Whether you've got PCs or Macs or both, you'll need help tweaking your computers' settings if you want to get all your machines talking to each other. This book covers most known operating system flavors, including Windows XP, 2000, Me, and 98, and Mac OS X and OS 9. Fun things to do with your network. The real fun starts once your network is up and running. This book shows you how to do much more than simply share an Internet connection and a printer. You'll learn how to stream music from your PCs to your stereo, how to display pictures on your TV, how to hook up game consoles to your network, and more! Most important, this book helps you understand the difference between what you need to know to create and use your home network and what's best left to those looking for a career as a system administrator. In Home Networking: The Missing Manual you'll find everything you need to get your network running-and nothing more.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 11 Ratings

Deals with the basics only - 2005-12-13
Reviewer Rating:
This book is a good introduction to the basics of networking, but provides very little "advanced" information. Most of what's in the book can be found on any number of web sites dedicated to the subject of networking. I was looking for more of an understanding of the nitty gritty details of computer networks, but didn't find what I was looking for in this book. There's very little troubleshooting information, which is a surprise given how often "troubles" arise when networking computers.

The BEST - 2006-02-13
Reviewer Rating:
This manual explained many things in a simple format. I would recommend it to ANYONE who is not well versed in home networking. It is easy to read and understand. I had my network and a friend's network up and running in no time thanks to the information in this manual!

Your guide to home networking - 2007-04-15
Reviewer Rating:
If new to networking stop, look, and read Home Networking: The Missing Manual. Scott Lowe did it again by explaining the how to establish a network for your computer(s) and associated devises. He explains networking both Macintosh and Windows Operating Systems, printing, file sharing, and data storage using systems ranging from power lines to wireless.

Not included (nor expected), but of personal interest to me, would be information about controlling home devises with X10 through powerline communication.

Home Networking: The Missing Manual is a great book for those wanting implement either wired or wireless communication networking.

hip bone connected to the... - 2008-05-13
Reviewer Rating:
Lots about how to assemble and connect and initialize all the necessary hardware components. Very little about how to get MS Windows to orchestrate the network functionality. As per usual, Windoze makes it look real simple, but in fact, nothing works. The book is no help

It still doesn't work - 2006-08-24
Reviewer Rating:
The book is clear and it's easy to follow the steps in setting up a home network. Unfortunately the book assumes nothing will go wrong and when it does,and it did for me, there are no steps outlined to help determine what is wrong.

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