Synching is actually pretty easy if you're running Windows - there's something called the 'briefcase', which is specifically for this purpose. From the Windows XP help files:

To synchronize files on connected computers using Briefcase

1. While the computers are connected, open Briefcase on your portable computer and copy the appropriate files from your main computer.


2. Work on the files on your portable computer.


3. When you have finished working on the files, connect the two computers if they were disconnected, open Briefcase on your portable computer, and then do one of the following:
   
   • To update all the files, on the Briefcase menu, click Update All.
   
   
   • To update only some of the files, select the files you want to update, and then on the Briefcase menu, click Update Selection.

Notes

• When you are using Briefcase to copy files from your main computer to your portable computer, the two computers must be connected, either over a network or by a direct cable connection.


• While you are working on your files, the two computers do not need to be connected.