Looking for MacOS networking newbie guide

[macstatic]

I have two Macs in my household (one running 10.4 Tiger and the other running 10.5 Leopard).
Both are connected to the Internet via a (cabled) router which is in turn connected to a broadband cable modem.

I often find the need to transfer files from one computer to the other, but haven't yet figured out how to set this up. I also want to make sure I don't accidently open up my network so that anyone online can access my computers. Is there a newbie guide around which can tell me how to do it correctly, covering both MacOSX versions?

 

[calderone]

There's an Apple KB for that.

For 10.5
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1549

For 10.4 (not as detailed, you don't need to turn on AppleTalk)
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh532.html

 

[macstatic]

Thanks. Though the 10.4 instructions were very lacking in detail I think I figured most of it out by comparing it to the 10.5 instructions.
I didn't find any option for selecting which folder(s) to share in 10.4 though so I suppose there's a pre-defined folder for that sort of thing (~USER/Public/Drop Box/)?

Anyway, I tried connecting one computer to the other by using the correct local IP address in the "go" menu, but (no pun intended): no go
At this stage I don't know if there's some setting on one (or both) of the Macs or the router. How do I locate the source of the problem?

 

[dangerfish]

There really shouldnt be anything to set up. Just open Finder and the other computers on your network should just be there for you to navigate like any other folder on your computer. Just turn on file sharing in preferences.

 

[macstatic]

Yes, each computer shows up within "Network", but when I try to connect nothing happens, and eventually it gives up.
Seems like something in my router might be blocking the connection -any suggestions as to what I should set up/change?
I tried to send a "ping" to the other computer (using "Network utility" found inside the "/applications/Utilities/" folder), but there no packets got through.

Also, for added safety, should I keep the following "Advanced" settings (found in "Sharing"-"Firewall" within the MacOS 10.4.x "Sharing" system preference)?:

 

[dangerfish]

Here is a link that might be helpful
http://macs.about.com/od/networking/qt/sharingtiger.htm

All the Macs on your network should show up under "Shared" in Finder. But now that I think about it, the Shared category may be new to Leopard. Do you have that option in Leopard but not Tiger? When you click on the computer in Finder, you should be presented with an option to log into that computer with the user name and password as show in the picture. You need to make sure you have sharing turned on under Preferences in both computers. Also, I would upgrade to Leopard on both computers; that may make the difference. Leopard was a big upgrade from Tiger. Lots of great features.

 

[MWPULSE]

You can also make specific folders shared which allows for easy access from other computers on the network.. I wouldnt recommend a) sharing your whole drive, b) sharing ~library, /system/library, or /library. As if those folders get tampered with excessively it can bring your computer to a halt rather promptly


Right click said folder>get info> tab/button called shared
PTP

 

[macstatic]

It works... sort of
The iMac (Leopard) can now access the Powerbook G4 (Tiger), but not the otehr way round. And I don't see how I can limit which folder(s) the iMac can access. I only need access to each others' desktop. There's no "sharing" option available in Tiger's folders when I do a "get info".