Crossover cables still exist? Modern network cards/routers usually can work around it (hence the "they still exist?") but it should work and speed should be the same. If you like though you can turn a patch cable into a crossover cable and vice versa:
http://articles.networktechs.com/18-p1.php
re: that guide. Personally it is a bit obtuse and has far too many "failsafes" built into it, for example there is no reason to have static IP (and that one runs the risk of not working (modern routers/hubs often have pools and that is possible to be a blocked one), it gives no indication as to the subnet (usual is 255.255.255.0 or 255.255.0.0 but do not count on it) or being the same as an existing address (3 is the likely to be the second machine on a network)
All this which most routers have DCHP table that will give out your IP (you should not even need the password to the router).
I suggest IP set by the network.
Open your router in a web browser (usually they are either 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.254, consult the manual if it is none of those) and find the DCHP table (or some other place where the IP is at, the xbox will probably be unknown and a list of hexadecimal numbers).
Grab a copy of filezilla (nice portable version here:
http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/filezilla_portable ) Default settings should be OK.
user and password for most dashboards is xbox on both counts, the FTP port is 21
type the ip address in and hit connect.
