182Chapter 11: Networking Your Computerwww.gateway.comBenefits of networkingA network lets you:■ Share a single Internet connection■ Share computer drives■ Share peripheral devices■ Stream audio and video files■ Play multi-player gamesSharing a single Internet connectionEach computer that is connected to the network can share the same broadbandconnection or modem and telephone line and access the Internet at the sametime. This saves on the cost of installing another telephone line for your secondcomputer and paying for a second Internet service provider (ISP) account.Sharing drivesWith a network, you can copy files from computer to computer by copyingand pasting or dragging and dropping. You will no longer waste your timetransferring files by using recordable media. In addition, you can map a driveon a networked computer to another computer, and access the files as if theywere located on the hard drive of the computer you are using.Help andSupportFor more information about sharing an Internet connectionin Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.Type the keyword internet sharing in the HelpSpotSearch box , then click the arrow.Help andSupportFor more information about sharing network drives inWindows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.Type the keyword sharing network drives in theHelpSpot Search box , then clickthe arrow.
