[Sussex] More screw ups! and Samba ??

[John D.]

Hi list,

Well, I've managed to screw up the debian/knoppix hd install. I didn't 
really find it that satisfactory. Not sure why!

For the moment, I've just re-installed the mandrake 10 powerpack that I 
had left over from previous efforts - though I'd rather be back with 
gentoo. I'm not sure though, some of the discs that I've burned recently 
don't seem to be too brilliant, even though, having checked the md5sums 
etc the downloads have been ok! Dunno if the CDRW is dodgy, it hasn't 
exactly done much in the way of work???

Anyway, the main reason for posting, is that I've spent most of the day 
trying to read up about samba. I still don't have much of a clue about 
how to configure it, but it did occur to me, that do I really need it ???

My network, such as it is, comprises of my main system into a network 
hub, along with a networked laser printer, and a laptop (which runs 
W98SE). All I need to do, is to be able to use the laptop to print from, 
plus access to some of the files would be nice (fonts etc). So do I 
actually need to run a samba facility???

Cos if I don't have to, I won't. I mean, last time I asked about samba, 
someone mentioned SWAT. Which was great, except that theres 34 different 
things to select from, which is ok if I had any idea of which 
choices/selections I need to make.

As usual, any ideas/suggestions much appreciated!

regards

John D. :-(