Advice on email server

Hi all,

I wonder is someone could offer me some advice.
I have 2 computers on a home network both using Windows XP home.
I would like to have a central mailbox that can be accessed at the same time on both machines.

I have tried to use Outlook and Public ShareFolder, but the sharefolder server will not connect.

I have tried to use Pegasus as this can be used over a network, but this keeps corrupting itself.

I have tried to understand MS Exchange but am just getting confused. Do I need exchange server and windows server?

Can anyone give me some simple, straight forward advice. I have no money and little patience left!! ha, ha