It was very simple for me... Using Ubuntu install samba:

sudo apt-get install samba

Then Somewhere in the GUI for Gnome (Settings I think) there is
something about shared folders. You need to set up your folders there
as being shared as SMB (as Windows won't really do well with NSF) You
also should do a few other things...

If you have a router that gives IP addresses (using DHCP), which is most
common when using a DSL modem or Cable modem for several computers to
access the 'net. You need to configure it to give out a WINS server IP.

> To just get access to the files on your desktop,
> you could set up the desktop to act as an SSH server,
> then you could just "shell in" from your laptop
> and get to the files.

SSH is a good solution, but for Windows using samba works better for LAN
while SSH works better for going in from the 'net.

> Or, samba shares could also be set up as well.

See above.

> If I'm not mistaken, each machine will need
> to have a static IP address assigned to it -
> the software config (HTML) page inside your
> router (if using a router) should be able to
> reserve IP addresses to each machine once you
> tell the router the MAC address of each machine.

The only computer that will need a static IP is going to be the server
(the Desktop). You also need to configure Samba to act as a WINS
server, then set your DHCP in your router to give out the Desktop's IP
as the WINS server (this setting should be near but separate from the
router's settings on static DNS).

> As for printer sharing - if the printer has an
> ethernet (RJ-45) connecter, then most likely it
> can be set up as a network printer- again it will
> need a non-changing (Static) IP address, and from
> there I'm pretty sure you can just set up each
> Ubuntu install to "add a network printer" and point
> it at the printer name/IP address and in theory
> you should be good to go.

This is what the WINS server is for, NetBIOS/SMB/Samba tells the WINS
server where services are, Samba acts as a very nice WINS server.
Ironic since WINS is "Windows Internet Naming Service" (MS file sharing
server that operates like DNS).

> Sorry I don't have exact "step by step" directions
> here, but the above is at the least a good
> "high-level" starting point.
>
> Hope this helps,

I don't have step by step either... Most of your options should be
found in your Ubuntu's GUI... Try googling using Ubuntu as a WINS
Server that should yield some results that could be handy.

Basically, you want to make sure all computers go to your Desktop for
information on what is on the network if you plan to use Samba, if you
plan to use SSH, it is not nearly as complicated.