In a previous message, fsanta
Just to support what has been said I feel that NIS/NFS would be overkill on a 2 node network. If it is an excercise in learning how to setup a larger lan then that's fine.
I've no intention of scaling this up. However, the only way of getting what I want (transparent duplicated logins on the two machines) seems to be to use NFS. There doesn't seem to be any need for NIS - I can just mount the primary machine's home directories on the secondary machine at bootup and everything should be fine. I don't need passwords etc. kept in sync ATM. The thing is that the other methods suggested (ssh and vnc) require the secondary machine to have its own login environment, which will not be in sync with the primary machine, and also make it harder to start apps (you can't simply click on the icon to run it). For myself, it wouldn't be a great hardship but my wife prefers ease of use, and it would be her who used this machine most. Thanks for all the help, everyone! John -- John Pettigrew Headstrong Games john@headstrong-games.co.uk Fun : Strategy : Price http://www.headstrong-games.co.uk/ Board games that won't break the bank Knossos: escape the ever-changing labyrinth before the Minotaur catches you!