SMB / Windows Sharing support in OS X is quite good (definitely better
than it used to be) - the only time I can recall having trouble with
it in Tiger / 10.4 is when the PC was unplugged from the Network.

For printer sharing, I'd suggest using CUPS on a Linux server. OS X's
print system includes CUPS, so you can easily add the printers that
way, and Windows XP also supports CUPS natively (as an "internet
printer" IIRC).

Good luck,

-Randy

On 8/1/06, Rolf <learr@rogers.com> wrote:
> I am not a regular mac user, but I believe Mac supports SMB (winfows
> file/print sharing) natively.
>
> Quick search found http://linsec.ca/macosx/nfs_client.php
>
> My gut reaction was that Mac supports NFS (which it does), but with
> native Samba support it may be easier (saves you learning something new).
>
> So, I would recommend SuSE (because it is my favourite Linux distro),
> and go from there. I'm sure redhat, ubunto, debian, etc all will manage
> this just fine.
>
> The Linux distros tailored for routers will probably *not* be what you
> want. They will have some restrictions that may not be convenient
> (missing packages like backup software, etc).. The "full" distros will
> be better served I believe.
>
> Rolf
>
> Josh Koffman wrote:
> > Hi all. I've been asked to help out a small non-profit in setting up a
> > little network in their new offices. The network isn't going to be
> > anything intense, just a small server that will act as a repository
> > for their files (at the moment they each keep a copy of the file...it
> > makes versioning a nightmare) and possibly some printer sharing.
> >
> > Cost is of course an issue, otherwise I'd just recommend buying one of
> > the all in one server boxes available. There are a number of slightly
> > older computers available, so I'm thinking about the possibility of
> > making a Linux based box that took care of their needs.
> >
> > Here's the part that I'm stumbling at: there will be a mix of Windows
> > and Mac users at the office. I can find howtos on how to make a
> > Windows file server using Samba, but I have no idea how OSX does file
> > sharing. Does anyone know of a Linux distribution that's tailored
> > towards doing file and print sharing? Something like the ones that are
> > tailored to be routers would be ideal.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Josh
> >
>
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-- 
-Randy Glenn
Computer Eng. and Mgt. Year V, McMaster University
Regional Student Representative, IEEE Canada

randy.glenn-at-gmail.com - glennrb-at-mcmaster.ca
randy.glenn-at-computer.org - randy_glenn-at-ieee.org
http://www.randyglenn.ca
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