how to best set up my house for wireless internet access as well as music?

I love the iTunes idea, benjh -- will do that for upstairs and the laptop. But I think I left out the part for listening to the music not over a computer, but through speakers. In other words, how can I listen to music in the living room over speakers, from the computer upstairs?

I've heard good things about the http://www.gateway.com/home/products/hm_cnndvd_ethernet_proddetail.shtml, though i've never used it myself. Tivo devices will also stream media to your speakers, with an interface through your telelvision. There are also a variety of media computers you can build yourself, that would be a more expensive option, though.

That http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=119&subcategory=121&product=9192 thing will be all you'll need to play mp3s from the upstairs computer on your stereo. The http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=119&subcategory=121&product=9192 will also do the job, supports more formats, and is extremely popular with the geek crowd. On preview, also what benjh said.

Tivo devices will also stream media to your speakers, with an interface through your television. I love TiVo media streaming. If only it spoke iTunes/AAC. Still, my daughter has her own music folder published on her own PC, and she can play Smashmouth and Spongebob and Moby to her heart's content through our TV/receiver. It's weird how some TiVo users are insulted that they have to pay extra for the Home Media Option, while for others it's reading about the feature that convinces them to finally take the TiVo step.

I'm going to stay out of the wireless part as I just had a nasty experience extending my wireless network this weekend, but I would say to be careful about installing iTunes on Windows 2000. I'm basing this entirely on rumor and innuendo, but it supposedly causes problems (if you're even using that OS). There are a ton of streaming media solutions coming onto the market from Linksys, Gateway, Tivo, Logitech, etc. What's currently hooked up to your entertainment system? You may be able to add onto that.

>In other words, how can I listen to music in the living room over speakers, from the computer upstairs? Run an MP3 streamer on your computer, and get an XBOX. A modded XBOX will provide excellent quality sound, and shouldbe easy to network (but you'll probably need to buy an ethernet -> wireless bridge). You'll get lots of MP3 playing options, too. Of course, that's just me.

one thing we're doing is running an ethernet cable (under the kitchen floor as it happens) from one side of the house to the other, so we can have two wireless hubs. i don't know what your house is made of, but my experience is that wifi isn't that good at penetrating thick (structural) concrete walls.

Regarding the wireless audio, I own the http://www.usr.com/products/device/p-device-product.asp?sku=USR6003. I've used it for a couple of years now with no problems. The US Robotics site says it's no longer available for purchase, but there are some currently on Ebay.

Of course, that's just me. It's not just you. I feel guilty every time I look at the thing and think DMCA-violating thoughts. If they do drop to $99 and the non-invasive MechAssault hack is as easy as it sounds, it'd be a crime not to make a media server out of one.