Transferring files between iMac and Mac Air

My daughter gifted me a new but older Mac Air (mid 2011). I tried to transfer files from my existing iMac (2008) to Mac Air using migration assistant, but the connection never happens. What am I doing wrong?

It sounds like you were attemting the transfer over a network.  Try creating a Time Machine backup (or updating the one you have) and use that with Migration Assistant.  It is faster and more reliable.  You need a Time Machine backup anyway so if you don’t have on this is the time to create one.  Create one (or more) for each machine.
For more about backups
Time Machine Basics: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427
Most commonly used backup methods: 
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3045
Methodology to protect your data. Backups vs. Archives. Long-term data protection
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6031

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