Sharing the directory
mkdir -p /home/shared
chown -R root:users /home/shared
chmod -R 775 /home/shared
Look at the great beginner info on permissions and chmod.
Then, in SWAT (it can be started with http://192.168.0.1:901/, if server IP is 192.168.0.1), create a share with the following data (my example) .
comment = Share for all users
path = /home/shared/
valid users = @users
force group = users
read only = No
create mask = 0660
security mask = 0660
directory mask = 0771
directory security mask = 0771
available = Yes
Adding a Samba user
Probably the best way is to use a SWAT again (under Password menu item). But, if you want it in a command line – to add a user to a system use
useradd myusername -m -G users
Then, add it to a Samba and set a password
smbpasswd -a myusername
Global settings needed for public shares
In advanced SWAT configuration, change the following
security = user (it's default, but just as a reminder)
map to guest = Bad User (because unknown usernames should be mapped to guest account - needed for the public access shares)
null passwords = yes (for allowing a users without a passwords)
And, for the share
guest ok = Yes (which is same as: public = yes)
read only = No (which is same as: writable = yes)
create mask = 0777
directory mask = 0777
and optionally
force user = nobody
force group = nobody