AirPort v1.3 is Out

and available for download from Apple's servers. New features in AirPort 1.3:

With the addition of Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) and DHCP client ID support, AirPort 1.3 incorporates functionality that may be required by some Internet Service Providers.

The AirPort Base Station and AirPort Card have been awarded Wi-FiTM certification. Wi-FiTM certification ensures interoperability between various manufacturers' wireless networking products.

Enhancements to Computer-to-Computer mode enable each temporary local network of multiple computers to have a network name, to be easily located in a list of available networks, and to add WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) to the network.

Scripting ability and sample AppleScripts are now available. For example, scripts can be written to switch network setups between home, work, and offsite locations or to simplify dialing different ISPs for multiple users like mom, dad, and the kids.

For education and enterprise customers, access point density adjustments have been provided for better performance in environments with several base stations close to each other.

The read me file also has this disconcerting paragraph: "Third-party wireless networking cards: If you have a wireless networking card from another manufacturer in your PowerBook, you cannot use the AirPort software (except the AirPort Admin Utility). Use the software that came with your card to access an AirPort network."

Apple also updated Designing AirPort Networks document.

[Update: We installed AirPort 1.3 on a PowerBook 2000 (Pismo), an iBook and an iMac DV SE SL. Unfortunately, it did not aid reception on our PowerBook. We still get 3-4 green dots with the PowerBook and both the iMac and iBook get solid 5 green dots. Hopefully, the update will aid the poorer reception noted for the new PowerBook G4.]