Multiple computer organization woes

[Crazy Cooter]

For those with multiple computers... how are you keeping stuff organized between them all?  I'm open to new ideas because I would think there is an easier way...

1) My desktop (win98se):  DVD burner.  Extra HD.  I keep everything on the extra drive as far as drivers etc for all computers.  I also do web & graphic stuff on this.

2) The Girlies desktop (win98se): CD burner.  Single drive.  I have no idea what she does with this thing, but there's always something wrong with it  .

3) The laptop (xphome): CD burner, DVD player.  Mostly have MS Office stuff on this.  I tend to use this more for "work" than play.  The only fun stuff on this is a couple games and we also use it upstairs for internet access.

4) The Media computer (win98se & talisman):  CD burner, Extra HD, will get DVD player soon.  Has all my music on it and is hooked into the home theater system.  Also used for surfing.

5) Garage PC (win98se): Pure Pr0n.  Just kidding.  This has wireless internet and I use it for looking up crap when working on cars.  VERY handy.  It's nice to have schematics right in front of you on the workbench.  This thing is old.  Circa 90mhz.

6, 7, &   Cabinet PC's in one form or another.  Mostly testbeds and always being changed around, reformatted etc.  They run dos, win98se, 2000, or xp pro depending on what I'm doing.

So obviously I have issues with organization.  I can never find anything.  I'll be at my desktop and need a file and not even remember what computer it's on much less what folder it's in.  I need help.  Professional help.  But I decided to come here instead  .

How can I organize folders/computers/read & write access/whatever to get organized but not compromise security?  How vulnerable would I be if I set a folder to give write access from all the other comps?  Would it be safer to designate a single drive?  I've been using rewrites and updating them periodically, but it's a PITA.  Remember, I'm lazy.  Maybe a designated comp as a file server?  My network is firewalled by my router and access is limited by mac address.

[Jess--]

used to have similar problems here, multiple computers always changing + multiple webservers,

solution for me was to run 2 networks

internal = any machine hooked in has full access to anything anywhere,
External = heavily secured, used by router / servers

the fun bit comes when you add one extra machine (slow win2k machine) with 2 network cards and set that up to act as a bridge between the networks using NAT

end result is that I can jump on any machine and have full unrestricted access to any other machine that is hooked into the internal network and have full internet access, but anything on the internal network is invisible as far as the outside world is concerned, about 12 machines all appear to be one little P200 pile of rubbish that is running firewall software galore despite being behind a hardware firewall.

[Stingray]

Anything that I think I might need when using another PC gets uploaded to a private directory on my website so I can grab it when I need it.

-S

[Crazy Cooter]

I taped a paper CD sleeve to each tower.  I'm going to use rewrites for all the drivers etc i need.  I'm also going to (finally) burn a DVD-RW with all the downloaded program installers for stuff i use (winzip, Acrobat 5.0, etc).

I still haven't figured out a way for file management though.  I'm thinking a password protected write access setup might be the way to go.  How secure would that be?

[shmokes]

Acrobat 7 is out now.

[Crazy Cooter]

I didn't even like 6.  It takes too long to load so I stick with 5.  i haven't come across anything it can't read.

[xar256]

Giving each PC a meaningful name, and designating it for a specific purpose can make a would of difference.

For instance, on my network:
My Personal PC (running Xp)- Main-XP - It shares most of my used program downloads and music

My FTP server - Phoenix <Phonetically the F works for me> - Stores lesser used, but important files, and I have access to it from a remote site <Great for techie types doing remote repairs>

Fiance's computer: Renamed to her name - Firewalled off from the rest of my network...Hazmat precautions.