It all started when personal computers and peripherals became more affordable. Suddenly, the single PC household turned into a multiple PC household, with a myriad of peripherals like printers, scanners, external drives, game consoles, and digital gadgets. To connect everything and share resources has become a serious need indeed. Throw in different operating systems and wireless technology and the prospect can seem overwhelming.

Fortunately, Scott Lowe has written the perfect guide in Home Networking: The Missing Manual, a must-have handbook for anyone interested in setting up their own home network and reaping the rewards. The benefits of networking continue to drive this growing demand for the home from going wireless and sharing files and peripherals, to displaying digital photos on the TV and networking TiVo.

“The terms and technology associated with networking a home can be pretty intimidating,” comments Lowe. “I provide details and descriptions in clear, jargon-free language that helps explain what it all means, how it works, and what is really needed.”

Home Networking: The Missing Manual is divided into two parts:

Planning, Buying, and Setting Up the Network

• Learn about components and networking software

• Choose between wired, wireless, or hybrid
• Set up an Ethernet network
• Set up and secure a power line network

Putting the Network to Work

• Name PCs and people on your network

• Designate what you want to share with others
• Create and manage accounts
• Use Macs and PCs on the network
• Create user accounts and groups
• Print across the network
• Play a PC’s music on your stereo
• Display digital photos on TV
• Play video games across the network
• Network your TiVo
• Set up remote access

For those interested in getting their home computing networked, and also installing wireless technology, Lowe’s manual outlines a step-by-step, easy-to-understand process that generates results.