Q: Going wireless on a G3 black PowerBook Firewire

Adam, welcome to Apple Discussions.

I have the same Mac. It is commonly called a Pismo model. I'm running Tiger & have wireless capability.

On these Macs, you initially had to install an internal Airport card, however, these cards are no longer being made, so you have to buy used. The easiest way to have a wireless capability is to buy a plug-in PC card (plugs into the slot on the left side). I have an AeroCard Extreme (8.2.11g, 54Mbps) made by Macsense, Model WPE-800. There is no additional software to install.

If you have broadband (high-speed) from your ISP, you will have a modem. To use wireless at your home, you will need to buy & interface a wireless router. You can plug your Mac directly into the modem if you don't need wireless at home. With the wireless card, you can access wireless networks at airports, hotels, cafes, etc.

 Cheers, Tom

PS There is a PowerBook G3 discussion forum at http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1066 where you generally get better responses than this forum.

Adam,

I just wanted to add a few points to Tom's reply and hope they will be helpful.

- As mentioned, you can add either an internal or external wireless card. The original Apple 802.11b wireless card fits under the keyboard and works with all versions of MacOS. This is the ONLY internal card that works with the Pismo. With an internal card, you have no wireless PC card sticking out the side of your powerbook. Although it has only an 11Mbps speed, this is more than sufficient for surfing, emailing, etc. A Google search shows many sources for these used cards, so here is just one for the Airport 11Mbps Card Kit M7600LL/E.
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Airport-Card-Network-adapter/dp/B0000899ZD

This is how you would install it:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50028

- If you wish to add an external wireless PC card, you want to buy a card that is compatible with Apple's onboard AirPort software, and it must also be an 802.11g 54Mbps card. Tom mentioned a good card from MacSense. Other World Computing (OWC) also sells a compatible card:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sonnet%20Technology/G54CB/

Once the card is installed, you can access any wireless point just like the latest Apple hardware. Do you want to be wireless on the road or at home or both? If just for the road, you are done; if also for the home, you will need to buy a wireless router to connect to your DSL or cable modem.

Depending on your ISP, there may be sign-up bargains that include a free Broadband wireless Router if you sign up for a new account for a duration approaching the rest of your life, promise them your wife's services, firstborn son, etc.