How do I network the iMac G4 to another Mac?

There are several ways to network the iMac G4 to another Mac.

Wirelessly (AirPort/AirPort Extreme)

Two AirPort (802.11b) or AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g) equipped iMac G4 models or one properly equipped iMac G4 and another AirPort or AirPort Extreme-equipped Mac, can be networked together without the AirPort hardware access point by using "direct computer-to-computer communications" within a range of approximately 50 meters.

AirPort or AirPort Extreme was optional for all iMac G4 systems. The original iMac G4 "Flat Panel" and "Spring 2003" models -- those with 700 MHz or 800 MHz processors -- support AirPort, but did not have it installed by default, and later iMac G4 models -- those with 1.0 GHz or 1.25 GHz processors -- support AirPort Extreme, but also did not have it installed by default.

For Macs that have 10Base-T or 10/100Base-T or faster Ethernet installed and are capable of running MacOS 8.6 or higher, the first Mac can be added to an AirPort network via a crossover Ethernet cable between the computer and the hardware access point and the iMac G4 can be added to the same network by the wireless connection if AirPort or AirPort Extreme is installed.

Wired (Ethernet)

If you're not interested in using wireless networking, or your iMac G4 does not have AirPort or AirPort Extreme installed, an iMac G4 also can be connected with a standard Ethernet cable to many other recent models. For older systems, assuming that Ethernet is installed, you can just use a simple crossover cable, or Ethernet cables and a hub, to connect another Mac to the iMac G4. Although it has not been updated in quite some time, Three Macs & A Printer covers basic types of wired networking in-depth.

Firewire

The iMac G4 can also be connected to another FireWire-equipped Mac, by using "FireWire Target Disk Mode". In this mode, the other computer simply will appear as a second hard drive on the desktop of the iMac G4. According to Apple "to use Target Disk Mode, simply connect the computers using a FireWire cable, then start the second computer while holding down the 'T' key on its keyboard."

For additional information, please refer to "How to Use Firewire Target Disk Mode".