Sharing files accross the net query.

I'm a bit of a newbie, but was sure it would be easy to share files between two pc's - accross the net -directly.
Obviously I am struggling to find an application to do this - is it really this hard?
I have a family member with whom I would like to share files with (both ways) ..we are both on broadband(actually the SAME cable company and only a mile apart) is there an easy way to share files at speed between the two of us?
Your help would be appreciated.

I'd say the easiest way to do this would be to use something like Windows Messenger. This includes a file transfer utility and requires almost no setup. There's also a service called www.yousendit.com, but you may not like this, as you first need to upload it to the company's servers (although it is completely free and very easy to use).

There are also some programs such as GoToMyPC and Laplink which allow you to connect remotely to your computer and access files/folders, but this may not be exactly what you're looking for.