ubuntu server guide

How do I connect to to my desktop via network cable (from my laptop) when booting with Ubuntu Linux?
I know I have to go to Places-->Connect to Server-->Windows Share
But the guide I'm using is vague in what info goes where in the form before hitting connect. I know when I go to My Network Places from my laptop, the desktop is seen as (SharedDocs on) "FAMILYPC". I probably can find all the info I need, but I don't know all the techincal names for what each is.
So does anyone have a really straight forward explanation of which info goes where when doing this procedure?
do you want to use a remote desktop sort of thing or are you just trying to do file sharing?
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Ubuntu Server Setup Part 1