i cannot connect my Ibook G3 to the internet via Airport.

>so is a USB wireless adapter the same as a dongle?

Or a USB wireless stick/card/client/key. There are many names.

Please note the difference between wireless as in Wi-Fi and wireless as in mobile broadband.

The former is a USB adapter for a local wireless network connection (to a local wireless base station, which can be connected to the Internet).

The latter is a USB adapter (also known as a modem) for a 3G or 4G data connection to the Internet via a mobile phone carrier/network.

I have the Tiger disc now - so i'll be updating the OS sometime next week...i may need some help as the documentation that came with the disc said that " i need to use OS options to partition the HD and install the OS" 😕 i've never done anything like that..any help?!

There are basically two types of installation: Full & Upgrade. In a "full" installation, the Mac's hard drive is erased and a "clean" install of OS X is done. In an upgrade, as you can imagine, the new version of OS X is installed over the old one. Unless you absolutely have to retain any data on your iBook, a "full" installation is always recommended over an upgrade. Also, because OS X has never been installed, a "full" install will be the only option available to you.

You actually have a third installation option: You an install OS X Lion and retain OS 9 on your iBook ... but only if you have sufficient hard drive space to accommodate both.

Before attempting to do either installation, let's go over what Apple says are the minimum requirements to do so:

• PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor. You should be ok there as you iBook has a G3 processor.
• At least 256 MB of RAM (more is always better). Even the 1st version of the iBook was capable of having up to 576 MB of RAM.
• 3 GB or more of free hard drive space. This is what you will need BEFORE attempting to install.

You can verify these things by selecting About the Mac from the Apple menu.

Ok, once you verified that your iBook meets the minimum requirements, it's time to start the installation process. Fortunately, this is fairly simple. Insert the installation disc into the iBook and after a short time the disc should mount and you should see an "Install OS X" icon. Double-click on it and the process will start.

On restart, the gray Apple logo screen will appear, followed by a blue screen and the launch of the installation process. As the first step of the installation process, the Installer asks for your preferred language. After selecting it, you'll see the text "Preparing installation, " followed by the launch and appearance of the Installer utility's Introduction pane. Just follow along with the rest of the installation process and respond as necessary.

Lion? Isn't that another name for Tiger?

"lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" 😝

Yikes! Sorry, I meant Tiger. Good catch!

Install requirements and steps should be correct ...

Hello again,

Basically, you have at least five ways of wirelessly connecting your iBook (once upgraded to 10.4.x) to the Wi-Fi router.

1. The internal AirPort card (WPA security).

2. A USB wireless adapter (perhaps like the one at http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Edimax/EW7811UN/).

3. An AirPort Express used as a wireless Ethernet bridge (setup can be done through another device).

http://www.apple.com/airport-express/specs/

AirPort Express: How to join an existing Wi-Fi network in client mode - Apple Support

4. A third-party wireless Ethernet bridge (for example, http://www.netgear.com/home/products/connected-entertainment/gaming-home-theater /WNCE2001.aspx).

5. A Wi-Fi range extender (similar to, for example, http://www.tp-link.us/products/details/cat-10_TL-WA850RE.html) used in Ethernet bridge mode.

See also About the Mac OS X 10.4.11 Update.

Addendum

Products may differ from country to country, depending upon voltage, power plugs/cables, allowed Wi-Fi radio channels, etc. Therefore, do check local regulations and local web sites for the manufacturers.