Desktop to Laptop Networking

[Wade Smart]

12232005 2118 GMT-5

I need a bit of help. The local high school network admin called me 
after installing Unbuntu 5.10 tonight in the main office. She said its 
on a cable connection to the net. She has a laptop with XP Pro, its a 
ThinkPad R50e. She wanted simply to allow Ubuntu and XP to see each 
other and exchange OpenOffice Files.

She couldnt email yet because she doesnt have Ubuntu set up completely 
yet to email. So, she called me and asked how to do this. I have no idea.

Would someone point me to a HOWTO on this.

Wade