Vman (is that for Van Man??? lol)
We run peer to peer using only Windows XP Pro (FYI, Tablet is a form of Pro, which came with our convertable laptops) with our NetGear wireless router acting as both a wired and a wireless router. Except when I've got like three apps open at the same time, things move fast enough around here for us. I'm also seriously considering purchasing a decent Quality NAS (Network Attached Server, Storage) system. With that one can point all the other computers to this NAS unit and then that frees up your extra "Server" machine even more, now it can just be another client computer on the system because the NAS takes over that function. And you can purchase these with multiple drives, frequently hot swapable too, and configure them in various forms of RAID for redundant back-up and saftey of your charts, your data.
But to start on a shoe string with only 2 or 3 computers tops, just get XP Pro running on a fairly modern tower, get an extra drive if you can set-up in RAID 1 to mirror your data (we're not even doing that yet, but we're about to) for extra, just in case, and let a quality wireless network/router act as both for right now. I love my NetGear. We have like at least 3-5 other networks close enough to be seen by one of our laptops when we hit, look for available networks, and we are running a 2.4 Panasonic 4 line phone system, and yet we almost never have connection issues. This was a whole lot better than any other rounter we have had, and this is our 3rd one. Linksys stunk, D-link, OK?, this one Yes! It is the MIMO one with the 7 internal anteanas. Wait on "N" until the draft is over and we have a real standard we can all feel secure in.
And don't buy an expensive phone system either. Our 2.4 system has been replaced by a new 5.8 system that has 4 lines. Trust me with such little staff two lines and fax line will be plenty right now. You'll quickly learn to look at the ringing phone with horror screaming, "Go away!!! What do they all want???" You'll just have more ringing phones to juggle with more folks on hold if you have extra lines. And each line cost enough as it is anyway. Our old system had a choice of both desk sets or hand helds, all wireless with batteries and the desksets also have AC adaptors that you can just leave in place. Unfortunately the new system is handhelds only, but they do have speakphone for long hold times. I just really love my desksets. But at $500 not on sale for the main base unit and one unit to start, NO Inside wiring to do, and you can walk with the phone to any room in the place, I dread the day we might out grow our beautiful little system. You can get the system at almost any large office store, Staples or OfficeMax. Buy a few extentions and you are all set, for less than half the cost of any traditional office phone system. And you don't need Centrex or another really expensive phone lines. It has an multiple line answering system that you can record different messages for different times like lunch verses you missed the call and are open, mail boxes for all 8 extention (max of ext for the system). The old one is the KX-TG 4000 (2.4 not available retail anymore) and the new one is the 4500 (5.8 and very easy to find). Why buy anything else at our budgets???
And yes most network gurus are both idiots and crooks. I bought the dummy's book about wireless networks and hacks and learned how to do a better and more secure job than either of the first two well recommended gurus did for us at way too much money for the dis-service.
FYI, I too am my wife's practice manager. WElcome to AC and Best of luck in the new year. Let me run so I can do some work and go home for dinner.... Happy and healthy...
Paul
