Dumb Question about wi fi

Would you clarify something? Is the wireless router hooked directly to a cable or DSL modem and is simply sitting next to your wife's PC? That would be the more common configuration.

Assuming that's the case, you can continue connecting additional devices (such as the Squeezebox Touch or another laptop) wirelessly to the router. The Touch could then stream music from your iMac. Note you'd need to install the Squeezeboxserver program on the iMac to provide the stream.

Yes, the wireless router is hooked into the DSL modem. The DSL modem is plugged into the telephone outlet and the router is plugged into her computer.
So the Touch could connect over wireless to the router. But could it command the iMac from there?
Thanks!

Yes. If the iMac, PC and Touch are all on the same subnet provided by the router, then the Touch will be able to get music from the iMac.

However, as noted before, you'll need to install the Squeezeboxserver software on the iMac. The iMac will need to be turned on and running that software whenever you want the Touch to play music from your collection. (Your iMac does not need to be on to access internet radio on the Touch.)

I'd suggest you check out the discussion groups at forums.slimdevices.com for additional detailed info.

The Mac will probably need a separate network. The network file systems are different etc.. The Mac can usually setup its own network without needing another router.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve, I gather you are not familiar with the Squeezebox devices?

I have a Touch and use a Linux server on my home network that has six computers (2 Windows & 4 Linux) along with a Roku for video, a Squeezebox Touch, a Squeezebox Duet controller, a Squeezebox SB3, and a DirecTV web connection).They are all on the same subnet provided by my ordinary Belkin router.

There is no need for a separate network for the Touch and whatever computer supplies the music. The only need is the music server needs to run the Squeezeboxserver program. They have Windows, Mac and Linux versions available. File storage format (NTFS, EXT3, HFS+, etc.) is irrelevant.