we have 3 computors in our house but onnly 1 modem thing. it only has 1 ethernet port, whatever its called. is it possible to connect the ethernet port thing to my desktop and hook that to my laptop? if so can u plz explain

You could buy a wireless router for your modem.

That will allow internet traffic to every wireless computer and wired computer in the area.

You could just buy a router like mbridges said, or:

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-ProSafe-5-Po...6416&sr=1-9

You can plug the cord from your modem to that then you have four ports for four computers. It's pretty cheap too.

That is providing you want the laptop in the immediate area. Otherwise you will be hindered via range of the ethernet cable.

Even with a 50' cat5e cable you're severely limited. I would recommend the cheap-wireless-router route... look for linksys as they're backed by cisco. As of right now I have my laptop plugged into an outlet 30' away with a 50' cord. It just kills the point of the laptop being wireless. A wireless router (802.11b/g at least) is pretty cheap and easy to install.