Old broadband, new laptop - 2 conundrums

[buck_rabbit]

We are already connected up to BT Yahoo broadband which we use via my girlfriend's PC.
(1) I want to buy a laptop and also connect to the net. Can I simply plug it in at another phone socket in the house and use 'her' broadband? Or do I have to sign up for a separate broadband deal? In short, for a pair of technical idiots, what's the simplest and cheapest way of us both using our computers with broadband? Thanks.
(2) I want to listen (and record) radio stations over the internet. I will have a laptop and broadband. Can I just do it using that equipment or do I need anything else? I've seen a Logik Internet Radio in Currys, but it doesn't seem to have any output sockets and it seems to need some sort of wi-fi equipment as well. How does that work and is it worth getting it? What's the easiest way of doing what I want - i e end up with CDs of stuff recorded off the radio? Thanks again.

[Ethel]

1. No. It work work.
1b. Unnecessary expense

2. I listen to radio over internet with a pair of headphones. Audacity is free software that will record radion programmes.


You need to buy a router - then you can have several pcs connected to the same internet connection either wirelessly or by ethernet.

[vehelpfulguy]

Basically you want a home network. As Ethel says, the hub of this home network is a ROUTER.

If you contact BT I think they can sell you a router, plus send you some simple setup instructions.

There are some basic guides to networking here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/netwo rking/setup/default.mspx

Here is a simple guide to setting up a wired network. See the picture showing the router.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/netwo rking/setup/wired.mspx

Here is a simple guide to setting up a wireless network. Again see the picture showing the router.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/netwo rking/setup/wireless.mspx