Diversity in Networking

$include stupid_question_disclaimer.h
I'm running a switched home network, with three PC's so far, all using Win98. One of the units has a cable modem, and I'm hoping to get ICS working tonight.
Here's the stupid question: I'm almost done rebuilding another PC. I'm thinking about running Linux on it. If I do, can I still connect it to the network? Can it share the cable modem connection? My instincts tell me that the connecting to the LAN will be no problem at all, but that since it's not a Windows machine, I can forget using ICS to share the connection.
Is there any real point to running Linux if you're isolated from the 'Net and the rest of the LAN is all Windows-based?

2. RE: Diversity in Networking
lbyard Aug-28-01 04:39 PM
In response to message 0

I haven’t done it, but you should be able to use Windows ICS to share an Internet connection with a Linux computer and vice versa. In fact, from what I’ve read, Linux might work better as the host to share the connection. Apples should work with ICS and Linux also. Samba (http://www.linux.com/newsitem.phtml?sid=10&aid=5037) allows files sharing by Widows computers with a Linux server. Unix-like operating systems can have rather steep learning curves. I plan on setting-up a Linux machine soon.
Is there any real point to running Linux if you're isolated from the 'Net and the rest of the LAN is all Windows-based? Yes, the software is free. Larry

3. RE: Diversity in Networking
Viking Ed Aug-28-01 05:41 PM
In response to message 2

Thanks, I'll give it a go then.
>Is there any real point to
>running Linux if you're isolated
>from the 'Net and the
>rest of the LAN is
>all Windows-based? Yes, the software
>is free. Larry
I'm all for free software! Most of what I run on my PCs today is free. Well, free-after-rebate, which isn't exactly free, but it's still cheap.
I'm sure I'm wrong, but I have this idea that the software available for Linux is either scarce, of limited interest, or low-quality, or some combination of the three. Got any URLs where I can be shown how wrong that perception is?

4. RE: Diversity in Networking
lbyard Aug-28-01 07:22 PM
In response to message 3

http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/specialreport/0,12737,6021435,00.html?chkpt=zdnnp1tp02
http://linux.corel.com/ which is being sold: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010828/tc/tech_corel_dc_1.html