I'm new to this linux world (currently using Mandrake 10.1) and I'm struggling to determine what to use to connect to my network.

I have tried setting up samba using smb4k and I can see my PC drive letters without problem... I can also run smb:// in konqueror to do the same too.

Then, I came across lisa.

May I know the real difference with samba and lisa? I'm interested to know what samba can do, but lisa can't and vice versa.

Also, if I can run smb:// to view my PC drive, does that mean I have my samba setup correctly?

Thanks much!

Lisa is just a layer on-top of Samba for KDE. It adds the Network Neighbourhood type of functionality to Samba. Gnome does this also. You still need Samba running for Lisa to work.

I personally just set up Samba and it works fine....I don't use KDE so I never bothered with Lisa.

I think Lisa does make Samba easier to use though.

Thanks for the explanation... it helps.

By the way, when I configure samba, should I set the domain (workgroup) to be the same as my existing workgroup? Currently, I have workgroup XYZ where 2 of my PC locate at.

Initially, I had my linux workgroup to be the default, which is MDKGROUP I believe. From my PC's network neighborhood, I can see this MDKGROUP, but when I double click it, it says I don't have enough permission.

Hey meteoric, I had the same issue a few days ago trying to setup my local network, I also used smb4k and it configured part of the network, then i went in to kcontrol and in the network part I added the folders I wanted to share on linux to be seen from windows computers, I did it with one folder. Once configured I was able to add more folders to share by editing the smb.conf file. Maybe you need to add public access to your folders.
It worked for me

Hey aeruzcar,

Maybe that's why... I don't think I ever edited smb.conf file yet. So, did you set up your linux's workgroup to be the same as your PC's workgroup, or is it preferable to keep it separated?

Thanks.

Yes, i used the same workgroup on linux and windows.
You do not need to edit by yourself the smb.conf file, smb4k does it for you, as I said get into the control center and search for samba, I can't remember the name of the program you can use to share your folders, I believe that is what you want, right?? to be able to see files from windows on linux and viceversa

I'll try it out tonight and let you know the results. Thanks again.