Linux machine to Windows machine? Then you need Samba. I have an article on this. I will scan and send it to you. FYI, this one was in Chip August 2004 issue
Its very simple to configure network in linux(fedora 2) ,i don't which linux ur using but in fedora series, just checkout network tab in the start menu and edit new file for network.......
after this urs network is ON and u can even see the users which are on windows. u can access those users but keep one thing in mind donot forget to type the same workgroup name as same as for the windows network.