I have 2 computers at home and I want to exchange data between the 2 computers. How do you think I should go about doing this?

The best way to do this would be to use a program included with Windows 95/98 called ‘Direct Cable Connection’. This will allow one computer to act as the server, and one as the guest so they can share files. The only special equipment needed for this program is a parallel cable (if you want to connect the computers together via the parallel ports on both computers) or a serial cable (if you want to do the same but instead connect them using the serial ports on both computers). The other alternative is to use a program called ‘Laplink’. This program is designed to connect a laptop and a desktop computer together but it should work fine with two desktop computers. Included in this package is the software and I have also seen a cable to connect the two computers together included as well. The Laplink package is available in DOS format (the older versions if you do not run Windows 95/98) and Windows format (newer versions) and can be found at most computer software retailers. Choosing between using a serial cable or a parallel cable to link the computers together is just a matter of personal choice depending on what devices are connected to your computer. The parallel cable goes into the printer port of both computers but the serial cable goes into the communication ports on both computers (eg. where the modem, mouse, etc’¦ are connected). If you have a modem and a mouse connected to your computer I recommend that you use the parallel port because you will more than likely be using the mouse during the transfer but not the printer. However if you only have one device connected to a communications port then the logical solution would be to use the free communications port to do the data transfer because each computer has two of them so therefore one will be free. This will be more convenient because you wouldn’t have to disconnect any other devices (eg. modems) to connect the data transfer cable into the computers.