I was told by a local video game store owner that I should use the Linksys XBOX 360 wireless adapter as opposed to the Microsoft adapter. Does anyone have experience with a Linksys adapter on the 360? Are there any configuration gotchas? Is there a specific model to choose/avoid?
I am inclined to go with his suggestion because it is cheaper. 
I’ve only heard about the Microsoft one, which I’ve heard works like a breeze.
I don’t think you can use any other wireless adapter with an XB360. I did a little research and there are no simple alternatives unless you use a router or PC to supply Internet to the XB360.
Google “360 wireless bridge”.
If you have some technical acumen and a few minutes to spare, you can save a decent chunk of change.
If not, you’re going to have to pay $100 for a USB wireless adapter. (!) Microsoft made sure that only their adapter would work with the 360.
The Microsoft wireless adapter isn’t the only solution. It IS the only compatible plug-and-play usb adapter, but there’s a Linksys gaming adapter (and, I’m sure, similar products by other companies) that allows you to run an ethernet cable from the 360 to the adapter and will pick up a wireless signal. The trick is making sure the encryption on your home wireless network is supported by whichever adapter you get-- I almost bought the cheapest one on amazon, but when I read the reviews, I found that it wouldn’t support our encryption, so we wouldn’t have been able to use it. It also seems, from reviews, that the setup is much more frustrating than with Microsoft’s adapter, so be prepared for that.
At any rate, the Microsoft one is on sale right now at amazon for $86.99 with free shipping, so if you don’t want to mess with configuring cheaper stuff, I’d say get it right now before the price goes back up. (I’m still holding out until it gets cheaper… I don’t need XBox Live to enjoy my system, so it’s not worth anything more than about $50 to me.)
If you don’t want to pay $100 for a new MS one try looking on eBay for one. I got a used one there for only $30.
All gaming on wireless is terrible. You should spend more time trying to run a cable.