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Keep It Simple: Call In a Professional

If you're too nervous or too busy to take on setting up a home network, you'll be glad to know that it's now easier to find someone who'll do the job for you.

For example, if you buy your networking gear at one of its stores, CompUSA will send a rep to your home (for $99 to $199) to set up either a wireless network or a network with wires that have already been installed. The $99 service will network two PCs for file and printer sharing; the $149 option adds shared broadband access, and the $199 plan lets you connect another PC.

Last fall, Gateway began offering to include wireless-network installation with the necessary hardware for two PCs to share broadband Net access: a base station and a wireless client adapter (the second PC uses a wired connection to the base station's ethernet port). Prices range from $249 for users who also buy broadband access and a laptop with a Wi-Fi adapter to $499 for those who buy just the base station, the adapter, and installation. Since you can get a base station for under $150 and a Wi-Fi adapter for $70 to $80, the $499 package is costly. But if you're buying a Wi-Fi laptop anyway, the $249 package is a good deal.

If your networking needs are more complex--if you want to add devices such as a networkable ReplayTV or an MP3 server, for example--you might want to hire a consultant. HomeNetHelp.com's Chris Kaminski recently founded the FutureHome Guild, a national organization of networking professionals who for $60 to $120 an hour will discuss your home networking plans with you and install the equipment. For basic networking, this service is probably too costly; but it could make sense for upscale users who want to prepare for the coming wave of IP-addressable appliances.

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