We all have something to offer, maybe you can offer advice to a mac newbie who is shopping for a used G4 sometime.
On your networking question:
- first the splitter is no problem, I would leave it in place and leave the cable going into the cable modem.
- at the cable modem I would plug in a router with a built in wireless "access point" and switchports, linksys or something of the sort, you should be able to buy one most places for under 100$.
- plug your desktop into a switchport
- then do this in order:
1) power down the desktop, the router, and the cable modem
2) power up the cable modem
3) power up the router
4) power up the desktop
- if the desktop can't hit the internet begin troubleshooting this, post it here if your ISP is not cooperative.
- once the desktop is up and running fire up the laptop, it looks like all new G4 ibooks have built in wireless, see if it is turned on by default
- if it doesn't connect post back here and maybe someone can get you to the menu to turn it on.
This isn't all the answers but it should get you going down the right road. If anyone here is a mac fan and sees something wrong please post it!
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