How to connect two computers?

I would like to connect two PCs, both with Mandriva, which are connected through LAN card with cable. Since I'm unexperienced with networking I would like to have a step by step instruction. I know it has to be easy, but the web is full of unusable scrapes. Thanks in my name, and all other user's will face the same trouble.

You need to use a crossover cable, it can't be a regular ethernet cable. Configure each PC to use a static IP address and the OS will take care of the rest, you should be able to ping them.

I need further explanation:
I'm using KDE desktop.
1. How to give the addresses (small example, please) ?
2. How to use the established connections? Can I browse the other PC with Konqueror? Send some files?
There's so many small details, probably very simple ones, but I never did the same, and cannot find a clear tutorial of HowTo. Thanks in advance!