Hi,

I'm just in the process of setting up the first networking we've had among computers in this house - plus, I just switched to Mac (an EMac and an IBook) from many years of PCs. We do not have highspeed service in my somewhat remote area yet, just phone-line connections.

Point of controversy: Some "experts" are telling me that for a wired connection between two Mac computers I only need an ethernet cable- no hub. I've tried it, and it seems to work fine for the printer and for file sharing.

Is a hub needed? Under what circumstances?

The Mac dealer wants to sell me a hub, and two more ethernet cables, but he was not able to make a strong case for my need for this,to my mind. It will cost me another $80, plus taxes and shipping charges.

Am I wrong in thinking that I can use either computer for the Internet,via a phone connection with one of the two linked computers, without a hub?

Big thanks!

Happy New Year,

Joel