Yes, usually each post is different, and only some that "tell you how" actually work, I know, I've gone down that road, edit this, edit that, and before you know it, it's time to re-install Linux because it's totally screwed up. Well that's the case for the Netgear WG511. It also has a Prism chipset which most Linux installers detect fine, but it doesn't work.
I've had no problems with wired NIC's it's just these darn wireless ones that are just impossible to figure out with Linux.