Is there an alternative to network browsing in Workgroup based (Not Domains !) networks ?

As you know when I connect a couple of WinXP (Pro/Home) computers on Workgroup base (that means there

is no Win Server with a Domain controller) then the computer directory is normally established

by electing a "master browser" computer which keeps all the computer node data.

Ok. Now are there any alternatives to "network browsing" (without migration or installing a

Win2003 server) ?

Can I e.g install a little piece of server software which runs as DDNS (Dynamic DNS) in this little

Workgroup network?

Or is really Win2003 server installation the next big available step ?

I want to avoid instabilities in the current server-less network and speed up recognition time

of shutdown or new computers in the net - nothing more.

Wolfgang