More newbie dumb questions

[Michael]

I'm currently trying to teach myself Linux.  I have a system up and running and I'm 
trying to configure the TCP/IP on it.  Do I need to have DNS up and running.  right 
now all I'm trying to do is ping my Win98 box.

Running 5.2
SMC NE 2000 compatible card
486 DX 4-100
48 meg ram