by , 7:30 AM EDT, July 7th, 2006

There are several ways to copy a file from one Mac to another, like email, portable hard drives, USB Flash drives, and networks. But what do you do when you want to swap a file with someone, and none of those options are available? If both Macs have AirPort built in, make a computer to computer network. Here's how:
Start by making sure the AirPort menu item is visible in your Finder menu bar. If it isn't you need to activate it.

• Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
• Click the Network Preference Pane.
• Choose AirPort from the Show pop-up menu.
• Click the Airport tab, and then check Show AirPort status in menu bar.

Activating the AirPort status menu lets you create your own wireless network.

Once the AirPort status icon is in the menu bar, you can create your computer to computer network.

• Click the AirPort status menu icon, and choose Create Network.
• Enter a name for your network in the Computer-to-Computer pane.
• If you want to assign a password to your network to keep unwanted eavesdroppers away, click the Show Options button, check Enable encryption, and enter a password.
• Click the OK button.

Create your own private AirPort network from the AirPort status menu.

Now your friend can connect to your new network by choosing it in the AirPort status menu on their Mac. You can use the built-in File Sharing feature in Mac OS X to exchange files, but I prefer to use DropCopy. If DropCopy is already installed on both Macs, you can use it to give each other files without worrying about any additional setup.

Computer to computer netowrks show up in the Airport stats menu.

As soon as you connect to a different wireless network, like at home, or a coffee shop that offers free Internet access, you computer to computer network will automatically disappear.

if you have ideas for Mac related tips that you think other TMO readers might find helpful.