How To? Work with files on one Mac from another

[Liza]

I'm not an expert, tried searching for the answer to this but not really sure what it's 'called'.

I'd like to find a way to use my iBook at the office, working with the files from my Mac Mini at home.

I tried using remote login - worked as long as I was on the same network at home, but not when I'm at the office.

Is there any other way to do something like this easily?
Please give me basic info, I'm not a techie but I can find my way around with clear instructions.

Help would be much appreciated!

[UpQuark77]

There are many solutions here, but I like to use FTP protocol.
I would do this on my MacMini.

Turn on the FTP server on your MacMini under System PReferences- Sharing. Then open port 21 on the firewall/router you are using.

Then, on your laptop, download and use Fetch or Transmit to FTP to and from your MacMini. I use Transmit - but you can also do command line functions via terminal.

You will have ot know your outside IP address on your macmini - there are numerous widgets you can get to display that for you... I use it often myself.