I was not sure if this should go into the newbie section or here, but I'll ask anyway.
I have 2 PCs both hard wired into a Netgear 834 modem/router. One is using 10.2 64 bit and the other 10.2 32 bit.
Both can access the internet OK. I am not sure how to enable the PCs to see each other. I have deposited a couple of files into public folders on each PC. I would like to share photos and if possible send messages between the two.
Am I being too ambitious?
I am a complete newbie and have only tried Yast for changing or installing anything.
Is there a simple answer?

Hi Bob,

Suse and yast2 make it very easy to share files and folders between computers.

If you're using KDE as the desktop manager, you need only to right-click on folders, go to Properties, go to the Share tab, and the rest should be straightforward.

If the computer's running a firewall (which it usually does by default), you'll have to enter Yast's firewall setup, and allow certain server services.

If you don't use KDE's system, then you can configure file sharing through Yast's Network Services.

I use the Samba server so I can share files between linux and windows computers. It's easy to just pick a workgroup name both computers will use, enable the service, plug in the folders you want to share, and allow those services access through the firewall.

Since I don't use text messengers, I don't know what programs to recommend for computer-to-computer messaging.

If you and another person have your own AIM accounts, or hotmail, or any other text messengers, you can use the AIM for linux, or several alternatives, like Gaim, Kopete, etc. to communicate with each other.

Hope I've helped,
Sam

Sam, Thanks for that. I have done loads of reading on the web and on this site and find that almost all of it is written for people who are way past my stage in the learning curve.
I have changed the firewall setting. And as as I use KDE and don't need to network to any windows machines, I had considered NFS, but life becomes very daunting when you go into Yast, Network services, NFS Client configuration. I have only discovered all this in the last 8 hours.
I have right clicked on a couple of folders and copied them to public folder so that I can play with them. My fear is messing up the install on this PC and with my lack of experience, not being able to recover it.
I will install SUSE 10.2 on a third PC over the next few days and use that to play with network setting as it will be no problem if that one goes wrong.
Thanks again for the help

Bob,

but please be aware that the default SUSE 10.2 do not support samba mount. I mean you can share your folder and other computer(not SUSE 10.2 default) can see and mount those folders, but you cannot mount the folders shared by others.

The only solution I know is to upgrade the kernel. I'm using 2.6.19.2 and very happy with it.

About the Network, just try to ping each other. If you get reply, then IT IS CONNECTED.

Regards

?
Really? On my suse 10.2 desktop, all I have to do is click on "My Computer" --> "Network Folders" --> "SMB shares", select the workgroup I want, the share I want, and copy from it, copy to it, etc.

It works with the default kernel, and my custom kernel.

Sam

Bob,

Samstar gave you the answer if you goal is to share some files. If you want to setup a small LAN then nfs is excellent. If you setup a small LAN it gives you more options. Share printer, fax, TV/video etc. The nfs setup is simple; to include security is another issue. All of us will help you out ;-)

-=terry(Denver)=-

Sam,

O really?
It's great than. I use openSUSE 10.2 DVD, and I've Installed many times. The problem still the same. And I even see the post of this problem in this forum(i forget where).

But it's great to be heard that this problem is solved.
How about the xine library? Is it play mp3 in default install?

Ah! you're using the x64 edition. Probably have different build...

Thanks for all that folks, I will look further into it in the morning as it is late here. I have no need to share printers etc as they are connected to the Netgear and can be accessed by all the PCs. The main thing was the sharing of all the photos etc.
What I don't want to do as a newbie is to mess up my main PC as over the past couple of weeks, I mainly use linux now and only boot into Windoze to play one game, quite a convert!