Sharing files

Sorry if this has been asked many times but I've just subscribed to this
NG and have 1300 posts to search!

I'm thinking of setting up a simple workgroup network:

Main computer connected via Ethernet plus two others connected
wirelessly.

ICS from main computer plus file and printer sharing.

Now the question:

Is it possible to view/edit a shared file even if the workgroup computer
does not have the program it was created in?

Hi
Since you are going Wirelessly you should consider using a Wireless
Cable/DSL Router rather then Software Router (ICS).
As for sharing.
Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings,
http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is
allowed to be shared.
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/net.../vista_fp.mspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing XP -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
Jack (MVP-Networking).


"Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:714426BE-DF8F-446A-A715-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Sorry if this has been asked many times but I've just subscribed to this
> NG and have 1300 posts to search!
>
> I'm thinking of setting up a simple workgroup network:
>
> Main computer connected via Ethernet plus two others connected wirelessly.
>
> ICS from main computer plus file and printer sharing.
>
> Now the question:
>
> Is it possible to view/edit a shared file even if the workgroup computer
> does not have the program it was created in?
>
>
>
>

Thanks very much for all the links, I'll have a good look at them in due
course.

Briefly, all I want to know is, if I share a file on the network (say a
Word document) and also allow other users to edit the file, can this be
done from a computer that does not have Word installed?

In other words, does the act of sharing and editing allow you to use the
program it was created in on another computer similar to a simple server
say?


"Jack (MVP-Networking)." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
> Since you are going Wirelessly you should consider using a Wireless
> Cable/DSL Router rather then Software Router (ICS).
> As for sharing.
> Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network
> settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
> As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it
> is allowed to be shared.
> Vista File and Printer Sharing-
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/net.../vista_fp.mspx
> Windows XP File Sharing -
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
> Printer Sharing XP -
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
> Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
> Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
>
> "Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:714426BE-DF8F-446A-A715-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Sorry if this has been asked many times but I've just subscribed to
>> this NG and have 1300 posts to search!
>>
>> I'm thinking of setting up a simple workgroup network:
>>
>> Main computer connected via Ethernet plus two others connected
>> wirelessly.
>>
>> ICS from main computer plus file and printer sharing.
>>
>> Now the question:
>>
>> Is it possible to view/edit a shared file even if the workgroup
>> computer does not have the program it was created in?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

Sorry, also meant to mention this.

I have a BT Home Hub which is connected to my main PC via Ethernet.

A laptop is configured to use it as an access point with a WPA key (I
don't know whether this is considered an ICS connection).

After setting both up as a workgroup network and sharing files, I find I
can do this successfully.

Now the reason for my question.

The laptop is a friend's old one he used for his work. It appeared to
have Microsoft office 2003 installed.

I say appeared because when I tried to update it, I was told that Office
programs were located on a server which was no longer available!

Word, Excel etc. in Start>Program Files AND Windows Explorer were in
fact shortcuts.

However, I have been able to open shared Word files and edit the and
also launch Word as a (I think) standalone program.

Am I to assume that I am somehow using the network connection to my main
computer to access Word?

I can't see how I could be using it on the laptop if I am no longer
connected to his old work server (got rid of all that stuff when he gave
it to me).



"Jack (MVP-Networking)." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi
> Since you are going Wirelessly you should consider using a Wireless
> Cable/DSL Router rather then Software Router (ICS).
> As for sharing.
> Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network
> settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html
> As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it
> is allowed to be shared.
> Vista File and Printer Sharing-
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/net.../vista_fp.mspx
> Windows XP File Sharing -
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
> Printer Sharing XP -
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...utt_july2.mspx
> Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP -
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
> Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista -
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
>
> "Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:714426BE-DF8F-446A-A715-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Sorry if this has been asked many times but I've just subscribed to
>> this NG and have 1300 posts to search!
>>
>> I'm thinking of setting up a simple workgroup network:
>>
>> Main computer connected via Ethernet plus two others connected
>> wirelessly.
>>
>> ICS from main computer plus file and printer sharing.
>>
>> Now the question:
>>
>> Is it possible to view/edit a shared file even if the workgroup
>> computer does not have the program it was created in?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

No - the application must be installed on the computer to view/edit a file -
However "Viewers" are available fom Microsoft which permit viewing of Office
documents created, on another computer, however editing is not possible.


"Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:714426BE-DF8F-446A-A715-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Sorry if this has been asked many times but I've just subscribed to this
> NG and have 1300 posts to search!
>
> I'm thinking of setting up a simple workgroup network:
>
> Main computer connected via Ethernet plus two others connected wirelessly.
>
> ICS from main computer plus file and printer sharing.
>
> Now the question:
>
> Is it possible to view/edit a shared file even if the workgroup computer
> does not have the program it was created in?
>
>
>
>

"Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:30A71B85-E208-4165-86F5-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Briefly, all I want to know is, if I share a file on the network (say a
> Word document) and also allow other users to edit the file, can this be
> done from a computer that does not have Word installed?

No.

> In other words, does the act of sharing and editing allow you to use the
> program it was created in on another computer similar to a simple server
> say?

No.

"Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newsD71C4C9-357D-4E2E-913A-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Sorry, also meant to mention this.
>
> I have a BT Home Hub which is connected to my main PC via Ethernet.
>
> A laptop is configured to use it as an access point with a WPA key (I
> don't know whether this is considered an ICS connection).

It is not ICS. It is not anything. It is just an Access Point sitting on
the LAN like it is supposed to do.

> The laptop is a friend's old one he used for his work. It appeared to have
> Microsoft office 2003 installed.
>
> I say appeared because when I tried to update it, I was told that Office
> programs were located on a server which was no longer available!

That is because the Installation Files for Office (actually during the
original installation) were stored in a place that is no longer reachable.
If you have the original disks you can click the Browse button and browse to
them. If you don't have the original Disks then you don't legitamently own
the copy of Office and you are screwed.

> Word, Excel etc. in Start>Program Files AND Windows Explorer were in fact
> shortcuts.

They are supposed to be.

> However, I have been able to open shared Word files and edit the and also
> launch Word as a (I think) standalone program.
>
> Am I to assume that I am somehow using the network connection to my main
> computer to access Word?

No. You are doing nothing more than loading the file into RAM from across
the network. As the file copies into local RAM your local copy of Word
opens it. I think Word may create a local "temp file" version of it as you
are working on it. Nothing else has anything to do with the network until
you save it back to the original location where the file is copied from
local RAM back to the location that you read it from. So the Network is
used to "read it in" and then to "save it out",...that is all it is
doing,...everything else is local.


--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------

"Phillip Windell" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> newsD71C4C9-357D-4E2E-913A-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Sorry, also meant to mention this.
>>
>> I have a BT Home Hub which is connected to my main PC via Ethernet.
>>
>> A laptop is configured to use it as an access point with a WPA key
>> (I don't know whether this is considered an ICS connection).
>
> It is not ICS. It is not anything. It is just an Access Point
> sitting on the LAN like it is supposed to do.
>
>> The laptop is a friend's old one he used for his work. It appeared to
>> have Microsoft office 2003 installed.
>>
>> I say appeared because when I tried to update it, I was told that
>> Office programs were located on a server which was no longer
>> available!
>
> That is because the Installation Files for Office (actually during the
> original installation) were stored in a place that is no longer
> reachable. If you have the original disks you can click the Browse
> button and browse to them. If you don't have the original Disks then
> you don't legitamently own the copy of Office and you are screwed.
>
>> Word, Excel etc. in Start>Program Files AND Windows Explorer were in
>> fact shortcuts.
>
> They are supposed to be.
>
>> However, I have been able to open shared Word files and edit the and
>> also launch Word as a (I think) standalone program.
>>
>> Am I to assume that I am somehow using the network connection to my
>> main computer to access Word?
>
> No. You are doing nothing more than loading the file into RAM from
> across the network. As the file copies into local RAM your local copy
> of Word opens it. I think Word may create a local "temp file" version
> of it as you are working on it. Nothing else has anything to do with
> the network until you save it back to the original location where the
> file is copied from local RAM back to the location that you read it
> from. So the Network is used to "read it in" and then to "save it
> out",...that is all it is doing,...everything else is local.
>
>
Thank you for your reply, it makes perfect sense.

However, what puzzles me is that you refer to ..."your local copy of
Word....".

As previously stated, it appears I do NOT have a local copy of Word,
only shortcuts to an old server that no longer work. I do not have the
Office disk.

On the laptop, I went into Add/Remove and selected "Change". It asked
what components to add or remove. All MS Office components were ticked
and I clicked OK. It then told me that I needed a file called something
like PRO11.MSI. I searched for this (including hidden and system files)
but nothing was found and the install failed.

So, it appears I don't have a native copy of Word and yet I CAN edit a
shared Word file. Not only that but when I click the Word icon, the
program opens without trouble.

The only thing I can think of is that maybe I do have MS Office saved
somewhere in hidden or system files and that is what I should have been
searching for. I'll check later.

This is driving me nuts.

"Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:C5D5131A-3582-49A5-A170-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> "Phillip Windell" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "Smirnoff" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> newsD71C4C9-357D-4E2E-913A-(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Sorry, also meant to mention this.
>>>
>>> I have a BT Home Hub which is connected to my main PC via Ethernet.
>>>
>>> A laptop is configured to use it as an access point with a WPA key
>>> (I don't know whether this is considered an ICS connection).
>>
>> It is not ICS. It is not anything. It is just an Access Point
>> sitting on the LAN like it is supposed to do.
>>
>>> The laptop is a friend's old one he used for his work. It appeared
>>> to have Microsoft office 2003 installed.
>>>
>>> I say appeared because when I tried to update it, I was told that
>>> Office programs were located on a server which was no longer
>>> available!
>>
>> That is because the Installation Files for Office (actually during
>> the original installation) were stored in a place that is no longer
>> reachable. If you have the original disks you can click the Browse
>> button and browse to them. If you don't have the original Disks then
>> you don't legitamently own the copy of Office and you are screwed.
>>
>>> Word, Excel etc. in Start>Program Files AND Windows Explorer were in
>>> fact shortcuts.
>>
>> They are supposed to be.
>>
>>> However, I have been able to open shared Word files and edit the and
>>> also launch Word as a (I think) standalone program.
>>>
>>> Am I to assume that I am somehow using the network connection to my
>>> main computer to access Word?
>>
>> No. You are doing nothing more than loading the file into RAM from
>> across the network. As the file copies into local RAM your local
>> copy of Word opens it. I think Word may create a local "temp file"
>> version of it as you are working on it. Nothing else has anything to
>> do with the network until you save it back to the original location
>> where the file is copied from local RAM back to the location that you
>> read it from. So the Network is used to "read it in" and then to
>> "save it out",...that is all it is doing,...everything else is local.
>>
>>
> Thank you for your reply, it makes perfect sense.
>
> However, what puzzles me is that you refer to ..."your local copy of
> Word....".
>
> As previously stated, it appears I do NOT have a local copy of Word,
> only shortcuts to an old server that no longer work. I do not have the
> Office disk.
>
> On the laptop, I went into Add/Remove and selected "Change". It asked
> what components to add or remove. All MS Office components were ticked
> and I clicked OK. It then told me that I needed a file called
> something like PRO11.MSI. I searched for this (including hidden and
> system files) but nothing was found and the install failed.
>
> So, it appears I don't have a native copy of Word and yet I CAN edit a
> shared Word file. Not only that but when I click the Word icon, the
> program opens without trouble.
>
> The only thing I can think of is that maybe I do have MS Office saved
> somewhere in hidden or system files and that is what I should have
> been searching for. I'll check later.
>
> This is driving me nuts.
>

OK, I screwed up.

Thought that the folder OFFICE11 just contained add ons etc., like
ClipArt.

Realise now that it contains the guts of Office.

So, my only problem is that I wont be able to update it as I need the
original installation files.

Sorry about the confusion.

Thanks to everybody who helped me.