Offline Multiplayer (Not Hotseat)

Just wondering if any was aware that you can play an offline multiplayer with your friend by connecting your laptops together using only a cat5 crossover cable (i found a very cheap one here http://new.ukdvdr.co.uk/product.php?product=datawri225&title=Datawrite+CAT-5e+UTP+Crossover+Network+Cable++2m) I have one of these and have tried but can't get it to work, yet lots of people have said that it works but any guide i've found is very vague. If there is someone out there who knows how to set this up step by step (creating a static ip address, connecting 2 laptops ect....) i'm sure people who can't play online for what ever reason would find this information very useful.