I think that I'm cursed to never understand howto's. Anyway, I need an easy way to make Linux and Windows talk to each other. I can set-up the network where I can Ping one computer from the other, but I can not share files. I have two computers and need someone to tell me how to make SAMBA work (with SWAT, not that stupid config file). Assume I have done nothing but install the network cards and attached the cable. I know this is a big inconvenience, but there is nothing else for me to do. I really need someone to turn to when I don't understand something, because I live in "Red-Neck county". (I show people Linux, but they think it's an application run in Windows. They are brain washed to think that when you build a computer, it naturally comes with Windows.)

"that stupid config file" is really easy to understand, you shouldn't be scared of config files... well some.. sendmail is a nightmare... but anyway. one samba configuratio is use is
so here, the security level is user, meaning an existing user has to log in to use it. next you don't *have* to provide a password, the passwords are not encrypted, we call ourselves "simon" for information, and that's the log file to use. next we define the share. it's called mp3, as is the comment for it, and the location is just /mp3. people can write to it, and anyone can use it. that's damn simple.

Does this mean the user has to be a login name on linux at the localhost.localdomain login.

yes. the alternative way would be to use password encryption (so windows can access it) and then to manually add the users to only samba using smbuseradd

Well, then how come I can't see linux in Network Neighborhood?

maybe you've not (re)started the samba server, or have not logged onto the computer from windows.

I have restarted windows and restarted SAMBA. Does this have anything to do with me not having SWAT installed? In Network Configurator, is the HOSTS tab suppost to have the Linux computer or the Windows computer?

make sure these are set properly:
workgroup = windows-workgroup-name, case sensitive.

and try this if you dont want to have to suppy a username/password:
security = share


here's mine:

[global]
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = Slak Server
log file = /var/log/samba.%m
max log size = 50
security = share
socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_RCVBUF=8760 SO_SNDBUF=8760
dns proxy = no

[Pictures]
path = /shared
public = yes
only guest = yes
writable = yes
printable = no

[Stuff]
path = /shared2
public = yes
only guest = yes
writable = yes
printable = no

This is not very secure, but works fine for my little 6 machine lan in my house.