Peer-to-Peer or Client/Server? Newbie needs your advice!

Hi,

I am very interested in setting up a wireless network in my home. I
currently have an older desktop and a newer laptop, both with XP. My
school has recently installed a wireless network (b, i think). They
would be on different floors, but not far apart on a horizontal plane.

What I would like is

1. To be able to use my laptop at home and at school for accessing the
internet (mostly www).

2. To be able to listen to music stored on the desktop on the laptop.

Keeping costs down is an EXTREMELY high priority. Rather than buying a
cheap-o router and PCMCIA card, could I get away with buying a network
card for each and having them operate on an ad-hoc basis? Would there
be any significant downsides to this in terms of my demands on the
network or the range of the devices?

Thanks so much!

ST

"Okely Dokely" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,

> 1. To be able to use my laptop at home and at school for accessing the
> internet (mostly www).

I should think that any wireless adaptor (not access point) will work for
home and school. The only difference I can see is if there is some slight
incomapibility between the cards. For example, if you have a D-Link enhanced
adaptor, it offers higher speeds that only work with that brand (or perhaps
brands using the same hardware). Speed should not be a problem sharing a
internet connection, 'b' should be good enough for most people. That is what
I have, two D-Link 120+ in Ad-Hoc mode between my current PC and an old one
in another room, I have no reason or evidence to believe they are slower
because of that mode, perhaps they are faster than going through an access
point. No affect on range that I can think of, except that if you had an
access point between to adaptors that might allow you to place them a
greater distance apart.

The D-Link after rebate cost $29. You can't get a better deal than that here
on an adaptor.

>
> 2. To be able to listen to music stored on the desktop on the laptop.

You should check the archives of this group, because I have noticed some
reports of "dropouts" when playing music or video across wireless networks.

Steve