Sharing ALL files between two macs and keeping connection persistent

I'm a PC person, but am trying to connect two Macs (both on OS-X) so that they can have total open access to each other's files and folders. One is connected to an Airport via ethernet cable; the other is wirelessly connected to that airport.

I can 'usually' find the other computer in each one's network folder. BUT, whenever I logoff or restart one or the other, the connections are lost. And occasionally then the other WON'T show up in the network folder. A mystery to me why sometimes they appear and sometimes don't.

What I'm trying to do is this: make the connections persistent so that the other computer always shows up as long as both computers are actually turned on.

Can someone help?

Thanks!
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