I'm trying to set up a wireless network, and i got told that i didn't need a switch or router if i'm not accessing the internet, but file sharing should be able to be used. I'm trying it on two xp os, any idea how to do it?

if you have a modem in one of them, ond the program to get internet sharing in windows(very hard to do) then you wont need it.

Do you have the necessary hardware in each PC - either a wireless PCI card or a wireless USB adaptor?
If so, the installation software that comes with them should have some sort of setup guide.
Unless you have a wireless access point (just another piece of hardware), you will need to set each wireless card to operate in 'Ad-hoc' (as opposed to 'Infrastrcture') mode.
Be sure to use encryption - WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) at least, and WPA (Wifi Protected Access) if possible.
If you decide to use an access point, then be sure to disable the SSID broadcast for increased security (this basically stops your access point from telling the world that you have a wireless network - and the less people know about your network, the less likely it is to be sniffed). It's also a good idea to use MAC Address Access control lists to specify which actual devices can connect to your network.

I don't remember ever trying to set up file sharing between two windows computers, but I imagine it's quite straightforward.

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the program to get internet sharing in windows(very hard to do)

Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you've written, but as far as I recall, setting up internet connecton sharing was very easy on Windows XP, and didn't require any extra 'program'. If one of the computers on your wireless network is already connected to the internet, you can easily allow the other computer to connect to the internet through this computer - you won't need any extra hardware or software.

if only, it took me and my brother(in 3rd year of comp science degree) 3 hours of playing with XP machines before we gave up, and even with a program, it still took 45 minutes to make work, and had problems whenever windows decided it would mysteriously put its firewall back on

The windows firewall is a mess. It's designed to be idiot proof, so it traps everyone but idiots.

Best suggestion: run KERIO instead.

ok, pretty soon, me and some friends or gonig to go map all te wifi hotspots in christchurch. does anyone have any tips on how to do this best, and to find the source once we have a signal

vslayer:
You're using Windows - yes? If so, I think NetStumbler will do much (..if not all) of what you're looking for - http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

In fact they might have done some of your work for you already -
Go to http://www.netstumbler.com/; click on 'Hotspots' in the menu; and specify your location from there.
I've no idea where the ChristChurch you're referring to is (..there are ChristChurches all over the world I'm guessing), but I've just managed to find information on approx. 20 access points near my area (..about 500x500 metres; don't get your hopes up - I just live in a built-up area).

...awesome! :eek:

P.S. Maybe I've misinterpreted your question - and this is all obvious to you already? Sorry if that's the case!

You would need a router, thats how we share our files and internet connections here.I dont much about it though, sorry.

if you have a modem in one of them, ond the program to get internet sharing in windows(very hard to do) then you wont need it.

Internet sharing is integrated into Win XP, and it's very easy to configure. You can also turn off the firewall very easely. What was the problem? Couldn't find the feature?

You do need harware to have a wireless LAN. You would need a wireless router and then a wireless card in your computers. I don't see what the fuss is about. Firstly, if you're going to go wireless then do internet sharing as well. As Yamayama said, you can do ad-hoc mode on your wireless cards which, from my experience, can be prone to problems.

Why are people sayong that WIndows XP is hard to use? It's the easiest OS to use and ti is idiot-proof. Anyone with any kind of computer degree who can't figure it out has a knowledge gap. Use the "disable" feature on the firewall. I used some tweaking programs to erase it entirely.

By the way, vslayer when my geek friends and I go wardriving, we boot our laptops in Linux and use network sniffing sotware that if better than the wireless card defaults. In my area, the doctor's office is unencrypted and we can access all of the medical files and appointments within seconds. More than half of the wireless networks in my area are unencrypted. Even if they are encrypted, Airsnort and other programs will take care of that for me. A friend and I are writing some new software for wardriving (not, that's tedius).

In short:
Wireless networks are always insecure unless you only allow specific addresses or ports.
Windows XP is easy to use and is idiot proof.
Linux is better for any type of sniffing or mapping.
Get two wireless cards for ad-hoc mode.
The best way is to get a wireless router.
Don't use a Windows firewall.