How to resolve LAN computers?
 

I understand that for it to resolve local computer names, I could add the entries to /etc/hosts file. But is there a automatic way to resolve these names? We dont have a dns server running (this is at home) so that's not an option. But I know the windows machine can discover themselves as soon as I plug them in the same hub, so surely linux can right? Thanks

The windows-machines discovers themselv with microsoft-network (samba). You can set up samba on you linux box, and at least your windows-boxes will find Linux.