Beginner's Question

[tompoe]

Hello:  I need the abc's of using ssh.  Specifically, I want to log into a
remote server, then upload and download files.  My experience is so limited,
the pathetic attempts thus far are almost always followed by the message that
cannot access the local file or directory.  I suspect this means I need to
prepare my local files somehow?  At any rate, a pointer to really basic info
with really big pics would be appreciated.  Thanks, Tom