How can I network 3 Windows PC's and 2 Linux PC's?

[tvnaidu]

I have three Winodws running PC's(Win 2K, XP), I downloaded lot of
freely available programs (anti-virus and some other installable
programs) and stored on one PC. I want to install the same programs on
other Windows PC's, How can I access it. All are on the local LAN. I
can ping each PC from any of the machine. The same way can I access the
files on my Wiondows PC from Linux PC and viceversa?. How can I do
that?. Please let me know. If I access my PC where I stored all of my
programs from another PC, it will be very quick to install. Also I need
to access some files across PC's, also I need to store from one machine
to other?.

How can I setup Client-server environment, where I can stote all
downloadle programs on one PC and access those files from other PC's?.

Also which OS is more secure in anti-virus wise, also firewall wise,
either Windows PC or Linux PC?.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tvnaidu]

Does anybody have any idea how can I do this.

 

[tvnaidu]

Does anybody out there who have knowledge in Microsoft Networking. I
need to network 3 PC's, could somebody write their 2 cents worth of
idea how can I connect all my PC's.

Thanks in advance.