Win2k and Linux compatibility

Is there a program I need? I heard about needing Samba, but is there any other way? Something wierd, when my brother is in Win2k, and I'm in Linux, he can run through the network, and be on the internet through my modem, but can't see my computer, what's with that?

 

Samba provides access to a protocol called SMB (Server Message Block) which Linux needs to "speak" to join a Windows Network Neighborhood. Without SMB, Linux machines will not show up in NN. With Samba, Linux can provide file and print services to Windows machines and vice versa.

http://www.samba.org/samba/docs/SambaIntro.html

As long as your Linux machines are running TCP/IP, they can communicate with other TCP/IP hosts (including printers). Internet access via ICS/NAT or proxies all work between different platforms because they are using the same protocol, TCP/IP. You can also setup a FTP (or sFTP) server on Windows and/or Linux and transfer files that way. Use telnet or ssh to get command line access to each OS.