PeteKoch
09-07-2010, 10:34 AM
My desktop runs Win XP SP3 with Internet access via a cable modem, to which I hooked up a Netgear Wireless G router. I set up a home network and easily connected a laptop running Win7 to it.
I plan to purchase a netbook with WiFi capability (still undecided on the make/model) and install Linux on it. I downloaded Ubuntu, burned a bootable CD and booted my desktop from the CD. Surfing the net in this environment (using Firefox), the difference in speed was eye-opening. So on the netbook, I want to run Linux. No question. I'll add an external USB CD/DVD drive for recovery purposes.
Unfortunately, I have a big development investment in VB and Excel VBA, and I use an Excel (Win only, no Mac, no Linux) add-in, all of which require the Windows API to function. I use these for financial research. Open Office won't cut it. I also have another very odd need for IE (again related to the API), so my desktop will remain a Windows machine. However, I do plan to make Firefox my primary browser on the desktop and launch IE for that one oddball case.
My main concern, though, is connecting a netbook running Linux (probably Ubuntu) to my home network. Easy? Tricky? Impossible (nah)? Info on known issues would be appreciated, as would links to relevant documentation.
I plan to purchase a netbook with WiFi capability (still undecided on the make/model) and install Linux on it. I downloaded Ubuntu, burned a bootable CD and booted my desktop from the CD. Surfing the net in this environment (using Firefox), the difference in speed was eye-opening. So on the netbook, I want to run Linux. No question. I'll add an external USB CD/DVD drive for recovery purposes.
Unfortunately, I have a big development investment in VB and Excel VBA, and I use an Excel (Win only, no Mac, no Linux) add-in, all of which require the Windows API to function. I use these for financial research. Open Office won't cut it. I also have another very odd need for IE (again related to the API), so my desktop will remain a Windows machine. However, I do plan to make Firefox my primary browser on the desktop and launch IE for that one oddball case.
My main concern, though, is connecting a netbook running Linux (probably Ubuntu) to my home network. Easy? Tricky? Impossible (nah)? Info on known issues would be appreciated, as would links to relevant documentation.