right now i have 2 computers set up through a router. i have some files on my linux box that i need to get to the mac. is there a fast way to set up a simple network, so i can send these files to that computer. i have very little experience with networking with linux. thanks for anyones help

Exemple setup for linux:

directory shared : /home/true_atlantis
true_atlantis uid : 500
true_atlantis gid :100
macintosh IP : 10.0.0.10
linux IP: 10.0.0.12

edit /etc/exports :
/home/true_atlantis 10.0.0.10(sync,rw,anonuid=500,anongid=100,insecure)

then restart NFS server (if /etc/rc.d/rc.nfsd is not executable, chmod +x it and also /etc/rc.d/rc.portmap too) :
/etc/rc.d/rc.nfsd restart

Now on the mac, from the Finder do [command + K] (where 'command' is the apple key)
Then type :
nfs://10.0.0.12/home/true_atlantis

And voila
look at your desktop, there should be an icon wich is the linux shared directory mounted.

i did all of that, but the whole problem is that when i do command + k on the mac, it doesnt do anything.... by the way the mac is running mac os 9.1

Oh, I see... You can not install OSX ? If not try netatalk which use apple talk protocol :

http://netatalk.sourceforge.net/
http://www.anders.com/projects/netatalk/

well, the problem is that it is my roommates computer, and i downloaded something for him...

I have tried the above options to export the directory but again and again I get a "name or password wrong" error in OSX in Finder.

In SuSe NFS server is running and in YaST Control Center the required directory is listed to be exported to the others.

I am new to Linux BTW...

robblue> You have to add the "insecure" option in your /etc/exports, that option enable nfs client to connect with a port > 1024, which is required to connect with the Finder

true_atlantis> at least you can start a ftp server on linux and share files with it

yeah, i might try to get an ftp working, but i got the netatalk working... dont really understand it, but i just needed to copy some files over quickly... thanks for the help