I've been reading around and it appears as though the Mac OS can access Samba shares, is this right? Currently I have Netatalk on my Linux system so that Macs can see it. Can Samba be configured so that Macs can get to it?

While on the subject of Samba, I know that on Linux using Samba gives you a GUI for the computers on the Windows network. Can Samba do the same for seeing Macs with a GUI? I've been searching around for a GUI that will let me see Macs and the only one I found was a thing called TKChooser which is no longer in development. Being that I'm not a developer, I don't really know where else to turn. Can someone help me?

Mac OSX and above have a software package called Rendevous built in, allowing them to browse and access windows network file shares. However, there is a performance decrease when accessing a smb share. If you have netatalk set up, I would stick to it, as an Apple native afp file share is much quicker. Also pre OSX you would need third party software on your Macs to access the Windows stuff.

HTH

What 3rd party programs would you recommend? Currently I know of something called PC MacLan but this is really expensive. Any cheaper alternatives would be better.

As I remember, PC MacLan allows Windows boxes to view Mac file shares. If you are using Mac OS below X, then have a look at Dave

http://www.thursby.com/products/dave.html

It allows older Mac OSs to view PC file shares etc. It's still going to cost you though, to the point where it might be cheaper to upgrade to OSX. If you do go on the OSX upgrade route, check your Mac for compatability first, as OSX.3 has stopped supporting older Macs.