Satellite internet is covered in my URPCs 17th edition book starting on page
1067:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789734044
If you have other alternatives such as Cable, DSL, or fixed-base wireless,
then I'd choose one of those options instead, but if those options are not
available, then I currently recommend either DirecWay (now HughesNet) or
WildBlue satellite broadband:
http://www.hughesnet.com
http://www.wildblue.com
They are basically equivelant in capabilities and performance. Which one you
chose may depend mostly on your location and line of sight access to the
satellite without buildings, trees, etc. in the way.
Once the service is installed, you connect your network router to the
satellite modem just as you would to a cable or DSL modem.
As far as connecting the two houses, you could run an ethernet cable between
them (buried if necessary), or use wifi range extending products such as
amplifiers, directional antennas, and repeaters to extend the range:
http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/index.php?CatID=32
The current wifi distance record is something like 238 miles:
http://www.dailywireless.org/2007/06/18 ... nce-record
So I'd imagine connecting two houses 1/10 of a mile apart is certainly
doable. <g> Scott.