how do I network two computers to use one printer? Do both computers have to have the program for the printer intalled on them to utilize this function?

If you mean do drivers need to be installed on both, generally, yes. And networking them through a hub is generally pretty easy (either Win98 or XP): http://www.surrey.ac.uk/eng/helppoi... A lot of newer "network" printers have most of the networking already worked out and I share a Brother MFC-465CN network printer between 2 machines...

To further elaborate you SHARE the printer with whichever computer you want to on the network. In that case You would have the printer connected to one of the computers and installed as a LOCAL printer. On the other computer you would install as a NETWORK computer. Some printers are capable of being a stand alone component of a network. That would mean they are connected to the network and NOT to an individual computer. The advantage, of course is that you don't need to rely on the host computer to be active on the network in order to use the printer.

Are the printers usb and/or parallel connection; and do either of them have a built-in network adapter already? If the printers do NOT have a network adapter built-in... it is possible to get an add-on that will allow you to install each printer as a networked item ; and this approach means that the printers are independant of any PC... (you don't have to have one PC with the printer atached/installed to that PC switched on for the other PC to print...). Nonetheless OtH's outlined method is one way to go... So make/model of each printer; and if usb and/or parallel connection; and if possible is there a built-in network adapter already - would be ueful info???