I haven't networked anything but am going to do that to my computers and printers, plus a tv later. Can I get a good reference book or where should I go to get this done?

Hi @igottaknow, welcome to Fluther!

Your network will be built around a router. Everything will connect to that device. And instruction manuals for routers usually give a pretty good introduction, as well as specifics.

But before you choose a router, here are a couple of links to get you started:
PC Magazine – Home Networking 101

PCWorld – Step-By-Step: How to Build a Safe, Secure Network

In addition to @jaytkay‘s answer I’d like to point out that consumer-grade routers look almost exactly like consumer grade hubs and switches. Unfortunately they don’t work the same.

Technically a “router” is anything that routes packets, so if you didn’t have a little box to do this for you, then you could get any computer with more than one network interface to do the routing- but you are probably not going to want to do that, so when you go to buy a router, make sure you get a router and not a bridge, hub, switch, or access point.

Also, I’d advise that you pay a little more and get a Cisco / Linksys router. Typically they offer greater flexibility in options without being more difficult to use; and they have a reputation for lasting a long time.

@koanhead “routers look almost exactly like… hubs and switches” really?
They will all have several RJ-45 jacks for plugging in ethernet patch cables but they diverge from there.

Routers is will have a “WAN” port that goes out to the internet, the hubs/switches don’t.

Also these days it is very likely your router will also have a WiFi Access Point built in too so there will be some antenna(e) on the box that a hub or switch won’t ever have.

I add Belkin and Netgear to the recommended list (along with Cisco), and I put DLink on the Don’tBuy list.

@dabbler I meant that they look “almost exactly alike” to someone who “hasn’t networked anything” before and who I presumed would know nothing about it. Thanks for pointing out the salient difference: the WAN port.

I second your recommendations in re: Netgear, although I have had bad experiences with Belkin. I also agree with your position on DLink, although perversely enough I have an old DI614 which is still working (though it does freeze up about once every couple of months.)

@igottaknow Here’s something for you, a new post over at Lifehacker:

How to Connect Your Computer to Your TV