setup home network with both computer desktop and laptop running ubuntu

Can you expand on "View the network", it doesn't mean anything. You can share the printer using this guide:
http://blog.mypapit.net/2008/05/enable-printer-sharing-with-ubuntu-computers.html

i am using my ubuntu 10.4 netbook version on laptop and can't find my desktop computer if go into files then select network.

I have setup a printer before when my desktop computer had only windows on it.

So you want to file share, that is more precise and is not "Viewing the network" at all.

If you share folders in Windows you can access them using nautilus. You will need to add a password to the account if you don't have one (I know you windows users LOVE to have blank passwords but it makes samba fail) or make a new account with full access to the share. You can now authenticate with this account.

You can access the share by pressing ALT+F2 and type:

smb://hostname/sharename

replace hostname with the windows host name
replace sharename with the share name of the folder you shared (I suggest you make this NOT have any spaces for an easy life).

The share will then appear (you may have to authenticate but you have your account) and you can tell your pC to remember the account for future use.

i now mananged to set up printing, but unable to view file when both are using ubuntu 10'4

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.