Matt's Macs

Expectations and Reality in Home Networking

- 2001.06.28 - Tip Jar

Upon reflection, it was easy. Networking extends the life of an old computer, but not without performance tradeoffs. Would I give up my old computer? Nope.

Setting up and using a network between computers at home will broaden your computer experience. Setting up a network is more than connecting a cable between two machines; it is opening up (perhaps for the first time) unfamiliar control panels or perhaps reinstalling control panels and extensions on the old computer because there had been no need for them.

Using the network is finding out what works and doesn't work (like a printer), learning new habits to save files over the home network, and learning how to share peripherals between computers. With some patience, experimentation, and tradeoffs, a home network can be fun and make the investment of time and money very worthwhile.

Below are the components of my home network:

iMac with internal modem, FireWire CD burner, USB digital camera
ethernet hub and cables (new)
Performa 635 (with new ethernet card), Color StyleWriter 2400 printer, QuickTake Camera, QuickCam (all connected through serial ports), Apple TV/video card, SCSI scanner, Zip drive.

Setting up and using the all my peripherals over the network has meant readjusting my expectations that everything on a Mac is merely plug and play. My iMac uses the StyleWriter over the network, but that required reinstallation of printer drivers on the iMac. The Apple TV software will work on the iMac, but only to view Video CDs - nothing more.

The iMac does not "see" a floppy or Zip disk on the Performa desktop, but files can be saved to a floppy or a Zip disk by dragging files from the iMac to the Zip and/or floppy disk. Conversely, files from a Zip disk can be burned on the FireWire drive by dragging them from the Performa to the drop file area on the Adaptec Toast window.

Overall, networking both my Apples at home has been a good experience and is helping realize the full potential of both computers.

Join us on Facebook!

Links for the Day

Mac of the Day: Macintosh Portable, introduced 1989.09.20. The nearly 16 lb. behemoth was innovative but not a smashing success.
Support Low End Mac

Recent Deals

About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact

Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2012 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc. unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iPad iPhone, iMac, iPod, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.
Advice is presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Email may be published at our discretion unless marked "not for publication"; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.

Custom Search

Follow Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac on Facebook

Low End Mac Reader Specials

TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct from Strider Software.

Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.

Affiliates

Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay