Grrr, closed window with last reply by accident, right before I hit reply...
I would class this problem in the been there, done that area. I have an owner that, if he stuffed a bit of coal up his rear, he would have a diamond a short time later (I stole this line from somewhere...)
OK, cheap owner: Phone line electric line networking isn't cheap, and really isn't a good solution near or long term. Costly, doesn't work that good. If phone line isn't home run, that's out, otherwise it can work...defintly not to any standards, but will work.
Presuming no home run, let's think about next cheapest workable solution. What's it cost for a box of Cat 5, RJ-45 plugs, and crimper at Home Depot? Then take a trip to Office Depot for a 5 or 8 port switch. They are selling those cheaper than my company is selling Red Delicious apples (we grow, store, pack and sell many varieties of apples.) Thinking of prices I remember at Home Depot, I would bet you would spend less than $150. Another $50 dollar bill at Office Depot, probably less. Would be nice to buy a cheap wiremap tester at Home Depot, but....... Probably worth every penny in frustration saved.
Then some time spent surfing the web, and terminating those plugs. OK, probably terminating and reterminating the plugs, especially if you don't buy a wiremap tester.
Hmmm, and stringing cable over desks, along walls, etc.. Just wait for the first person to bend the wire 90 degrees. Grrrrrr. I always tell people network wire is like the old goverment checks, don't bend, fold, spindle or multilate them. Only works with people who did not just graduate...Really like using jacks and handing idiots another patch cable.
Probably cheap owner still won't buy the $200 it would take. Oppps, forgot NIC's. Check ebay, maybe find five or ten cheap ones in one auction.
If you are using ink jet printers, you could try to show the tightwad, err, owner, the benefits of buying a used HP LaserJet 5. JetDirect would be nice, butttt to much hassle to setup for a first timer.
Everybody prints to one printer, and with refilled cartridges it's much cheaper printing (providing he doesn't think everybody will print 50 times the current level.)
I am NOT saying this would be easy, or meet any standards, or is the best solution, but I am saying it might be the best way to start networking.
And then there is the learning curve with setting up TCP/IP on PC's. Surf and read. It's doable (new word, right?)
The day I stop learning, my body will be less than 98.6 degrees. Comments are always welcome.
Good luck,
Jeff
Excuse sarcasam, late at night, long day...