Update:
OK, one out, one home run.
On my computer downstairs, a EeeBox EB1006, connected to my 38" TV via HDMI, also has Ubuntu on it, 10.10. I didn't ever put Samba on there, so I did, from the Software Center. Made a share in Samba, my Download folder. I go upstairs to this 7 computer. HOLY MARY! I can see this thing plain and simply in Networks. I go into it and open the folder. Wow... So this is how it is supposed to go.
Tried on my netbook. Copied the same settings, no dice. Unless anyone has a better idea, I think I'll just dump this, and reinstall Ubuntu. I've probably done something wrong with the config files... I don't have anything on there worth saving. I can get Compiz and stuff again.