Ok, my system just got back from being repaired, even came with a free game. Now, it is the 400 dollar one. I have never had an interest in online gaming before, but as friends move away I am finding I need to start. I know nothing about it at all. If someone would be so kind as to tell/share with me online experiences and how to do it. The system is in the basement so I am not sure if I can even get a wire to it.
Thanks!

I don't recall all of the details of signing up to xbox live, but it does require you to sign up to some type of Microsoft Passport? service on-line/on the pc, before you sign up to live, unless they've changed something.

Once you sign up to xbox live, you will automatically get a free month of xbox live gold, which is what allows you to play games on-line. Once the month expires, it'll go to a live silver account unless you buy more gold time.

I've used the silver account to download demos and videos mainly myself, as I have pretty much no need for a gold account. With MMORPGs, you don't need a gold account either, like you did with the original xbox. So, if you sign up to Final Fantasy or Phantasy Star Universe, you just pay the monthly fees for those services alone.

Xbox live also works on a points system, to buy videos, rent movies, buy expansion packs and maps, etc.... I really would have loved to have the expansion packs for Oblivion, but they're way too expensive. Fortunately, oblivion is being released as a game of the year edition and will hopefully have all of the expansions included.

As far as connections, I would definately go with the wifi adapter, if you're not close enough to your router for wired. It's hard to put out the initial $99 for the adapter, but I had to have it, as I am getting access from a repeater and long-range antenna.

Sure, wired connections are more ideal, especially when dealing with online action games and other high-bandwidth stuff, but it's not always practical.

As far as actual on-line experiences, like I said, I mainly just download demos and videos, but I have played motorcycle racing games and even enchanted arms... In enchanted arms, you get to fight your pets with other peoples pets.. and in my experience with it, you usually get someone (or people) that are a lot more advanced than you. It was almost humiliating when I had my first fight in enchanted arms.. my weak pets against someone's pets that could kill me in one hit... the fight wasn't long... lol

Thanks, i will check it out. I may just have to go wireless...so silver is free basically, kind of like ps3's online being free? I'm not sure what extra the gold package offers

I hate the achievements, people sometimes brag and/or judge you as a gamer based on them, I stil dont know anything about them. I tried downloading a game(castlevania sotn) on my 360 but dont know if it worked because i dont know how to access it on the system!

I doubt silver is the same as PS3. Silver will get you no on-line gameplay, while I believe PS3 offers online play on most games for free. I've heard that 360 will give you periodic promotions that will allow silver accounts to play free some weekends, but to my knowledge, they haven't done anything like that in the last year or so.

Unfortunately, I believe Microsoft is putting so much effort toward video/movie downloads and most likely the new IPTV service set to be unveiled this holiday season that they're not doing as much on the gaming side...

I believe the free silver account is basically there so you can use the Microsoft store and download movies, expansions, TV shows, etc. To play online you basically need a gold account, I think.

thanks, i had to order the 25 foot cable to reach my modem