Peer-to-peer perhaps ;) Which flavor of Vista are you using? Have you looked here? Windows Peer-to-Peer Networking Build a Peer-to-Peer Network with Windows Vista - Ethernet or Wireless - Softpedia http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Windows-Vista-Small-Networking-52693.shtml
No, no, no. Say no to NORTON. Just AVG. I set up 7 XP machines as Workgroup network and they work and talk just fine. Now we bought 3 dell laptops with Vista and I just can't get them to see the XP machines.