Networking in linux ubuntu

i am having problems with connecting my linux ubuntu to a network of windows computers. is there somewhere i can find a linux ubuntu networking guide

Can the Windows machines see the Ubuntu machine ?

Which version(s) of Windows ?

Can the Ubuntu machine see the Windows machine ?

What workgroup are the Windows machines on ?

is samba installed in Ubuntu ?

What workgroup is the Ubuntu box set to (or have you not changed it at all) ?

Do you use static (local)n IP addresses ? … or do your PC’s get their IP’s assigned by the routers DHCP server ?

If you don’t know the answer to any of these questions … just say so, and we’ll be able to point you in the right direction

Is this a home network of Windows PCs, or a domain?