Net Home

My office is equipped with three desktop computers, one laptop, a multifunction color printer, and a monochrome laser printer, but until recently, none of these machines talked to one another. The reason for their failure to communicate was simple: My equipment wasn't networked, because setting up a local-area network (LAN) is about as much fun as chewing tin foil.

Trouble was, I couldn't work efficiently when my equipment was working in isolation. Avoiding LAN duty meant that I had to upload large files to the Internet, just so I could download them to another computer in the next room. I'd swap files using a Zip disk so I could print them out. I even had my three desktop systems running simultaneously on three separate phone lines, using three different Internet connections. And when my assistant came in to help manage my administrative nightmare, we couldn't work together because my machines weren't working together.

More and more free agents and small offices are facing the same dilemma. As home offices and small businesses grow -- adding more people and acquiring more gear to support them -- the pace of work actually slows when computers can't communicate.

Fortunately, these days you don't need to have Novell certification to network your computers. Within the past few months, several simpler Windows-compatible networking tools have hit the market. They let people who are working at home or in small offices share peripherals like printers, scanners, and Zip drives.

Each of these networking products is designed for a different work space -- and therefore works differently. Some are wireless, some work off of phone lines, and one even uses a home's electrical wiring. If you own a small business or use a home office on weekends, these off-the-shelf packages hold out the promise that your computers will finally be on speaking terms with one another. That's why I gave these packages a test run: to help you decide whether it's time to get networking.

Your Work Space: You occasionally work with an assistant in your home office, and you need to share files across one phone line.

Check Out: Intel's AnyPoint Home Network

The Promise: The system runs off of a single phone line, so there's no need to add phone jacks or install special networking cables. And unlike your teenager, AnyPoint won't tie up your phone line -- even when you use the same line simultaneously to make calls and transfer files. Best of all, the module plugs into the back of a PC, so you don't have to open the system to install special networking cards. Intel throws in all the plugs, cables, and cords you'll need to make the connections; the software and instructions are all first rate.

The Package: The external version of the basic AnyPoint package includes two modules, about five inches long, that network two PCs. (To connect additional PCs, you need to purchase a stand-alone module for $99.)

The Reality: While you don't have to venture into your computer to install expansion cards, you do have to give up your parallel port. AnyPoint needs a parallel port to connect to your PC. Trouble is, your printer needs that same port. You can get around the problem by using Intel's pass-through connection (included in the package) to share the port. But because of the technical requirements of scanners, external Zip drives, and multifunction printers especially, many of these devices won't work through the pass-through. So make sure that your go-to peripheral can run off of the pass-through before you choose the AnyPoint.

The Connection: One of your computers acts as the host or server; the others act as the clients. Plug the AnyPoint module into each computer's parallel port and a phone line, and the network gets to work. (All of the networked computers must be on the same phone line.)

The setup took me a total of 40 minutes, thanks to the easy-to-follow software that walked me through the process. Once I installed the network, AnyPoint connected my computer -- pretty much without my intervention -- and I could seamlessly trade files and surf the Net from either system. One problem: My printer/scanner/copier could now only print. To remedy that problem, Intel will be introducing an AnyPoint package that uses USB ports instead of parallel ports.

The Bottom Line: AnyPoint is the speediest of the new home-networking systems (as fast as 2 Mbps), but the package comes with a couple of caveats: To use AnyPoint, each PC must be situated near a phone line, and you can't run a multifunction printer on the network using the current AnyPoint package.

Coordinates: $189. AnyPoint Home Network, Intel, www.intel.com

Your Work Space: Your computers lack access to phone lines, and you need to share a Web connection.