I thought I would share this at least if there is anyone there like me who tends to be reluctant to upgrade all the times with every new software update.
I eventually decided to install the most recent update to the airport software. Note that the update is for airport extreme. My setup: I have a "snow" base station, but since I have a FW800 Dual 1.25, my airport card is the newer "extreme" type. Anyway, anyhow, since the update, I have a visibly, very significant improvement in my internet speed connection. I used to have quite a delay before the update, now it is incredibley snappier. There is no reason to believe this has anything to do with the connection speed itself but rather better communication with the base station. I wish I could really tell what it is.
I eventually decided to install the most recent update to the airport software. Note that the update is for airport extreme. My setup: I have a "snow" base station, but since I have a FW800 Dual 1.25, my airport card is the newer "extreme" type. Anyway, anyhow, since the update, I have a visibly, very significant improvement in my internet speed connection. I used to have quite a delay before the update, now it is incredibley snappier. There is no reason to believe this has anything to do with the connection speed itself but rather better communication with the base station. I wish I could really tell what it is.