[uwwkhaki]

I've had my 12in powerbook since last summer 2003, I've owned 3 routers (netgear, d-link, etc.) and I've never had to do what I did today to connect to a wireless network at a local library. Normally the network just shows up under my airport menu icon or I have to manually tyle in the the network case (as is the case with a friend's network). Today I connected by choosing "New 802.1x Connection" under the file menu. The connection guide from the library told me to only connect using the PEAP protocal.
In any case this is all bacground info but I'm wondering what types of connections connecting in this way can make and how are they different from the standard way i usually connect?

[d00d]

I assume you mean LEAP.
This page explains the process. It's a form of authentication to restrict usage to certain people.