For the record, I have NEVER been able to get a modem working on this machine. Believe me, I tried. Fortunately, when I got DSL I got an external modem that plugged straight into networking via the Ethernet connection, and I shoved the modem card in the closet. Good riddance.

Most plug and play stuff has given me little trouble. In particular, I've had good luck with peripherals like my scanner and photoprinter, which plugs straight into the USB port. The scanner even uses the port for power.

I'm thinking about getting a USB-2/Firewire card, not standard on my motherboard, although standard on many new ones. The new harddrives and video setups like the faster speeds.

It has been tricky making Ethernet connections to printers. Both the black and white and color laserprinters are on a network, and I've always had trouble setting them up initially since unless you do it just right, the computer can't "see" the printers on the network. Once they're "found," no problem.

I strung Ethernet cable around the house. Not esthetic, but at the time, the simplest solution. Now the two new Macs in the house talk to the network via an AirPort in the garage, and it works great. The big Imac is still hardwired in. Haven't had any luck yet getting my laptop to see the AirPort, but since I've got an Ethernet plug up in bed where I use the laptop, no worries.

One has to be careful with wireless. I use encryption, since I live in a crowded neighborhood. I can see my neighbors AirPort on my computers, so I assume he can see mine. Ideally, neither of us should be able to get into the other's net, still...