Ok - So I've discovered that there is no need to re-invent the wheel.

To get a simple file browser and CIFS SAMBA i.e. windows shares,
I would suggest
in this order
1. Install Easy Debian
2. Run Debian LXDE ('more' menu)
3. Run 'Terminal Emulator'
4. type 'apt-get update'
5. type 'apt-get install rootsh'
6. type 'apt-get install smbclient'
7. type 'apt-get install konqueror'
now you have access to konqueror (familiar app with tabbed browsing for local files and any smb://servername share

All very easy and confirmed working.

Very happy!