[Swordmaker]

I believe Apple stopped providing security updates for OS X Tiger last month. That, coupled with all the problems Mediacom (my ISP) has bestowed upon it’s customers, plus the failure of my iBook’s tracking pad have made my Internet experience rather painful for the last month or so...

I don't believe that is the case. I can find no reports of OS X support discontinuation. Apple's policy is to support the OS for five years from the release date. That would put the discontinuation next November 2010. Apple has released a Security update for Safari 4 for OS X.4, OS X.5 and OS X.6 in November 2009 which would be consistent with their policies.

For your iBook... try plugging in a standard two button scroll mouse and using it until you can get your laptop repaired.

[donozark]

“Mac users still on Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) systems should be aware that there are no further security or system patches planned for these systems.” Source: www.9to5mac.com

I have a RAD TECH mouse that works fine on my iBook. But still miss the ease of track pad while in truck/airport/etc.

There were so many complaints about the track pads on Apple iBooks that company should have recalled/replaced free of charge.