Hardwood on top of floorboards

[yrrab]

I want to lay a solid oak floor on top of floorboards. I have been told the best way to do this is by secret nailing. Is this good advice? I was told to put it straight on top of the floorboards but someone else mentioned that I should lay some special builders paper first. (I think it was called wax paper). If I am secret nailing what will I do with the first and last boards near the walls as these will be difficult to nail at an angle. Is it a good idea to hire a special tool for secret nailing. A local diy store suggested that I just did it by hand and showed me some special screws for the job, which had very small heads.

[welsh brickie]

make sure the original floor is well fixed down and clean then lay 3mm ply and fix it firmly down.Then
Hire a floor nailer to nail your new flooring down

[yrrab]

Thanks Welsh Bickie. Never thought about plywood but I suppose this would give it a more even surface.