OK, so I'm using a printer connected to a wireless 802.11b print server/router. However, there is no internet connection attached to this router, I'm using it only as a print server. This internet-less network runs just fine, I can print and share files, etc. I have even had internet connected to the router once or twice and it all works fine.

The problem that I have is that many applications have increadible long startup and shutdown times. For example, Mail takes about 5 minutes to startup or to shut down. Similar problems are found with Solitaire XL, and Stuffit. I have found that if I turn off AirPort on this computer, or use the computer in a library while AirPort is connected to a network with internet, there is no slow downs at all. This leads me to conclude that these applications are 'thinking' that there is an internet connection available whenever a valid network connection is available; these applications then pause for a long time on launch or close to check for updates, etc.

Currently my network is configured with DHCP through a D-Link router but I have tried manually configuring it with the same results. I have airport configured as the primary network connection in Network System Preferences, but if I put it as a secondary connection with ethernet or modem as first I am unable to print.

Does anyone know of a way for these applications to be told that there is no internet connection while there is a network connection? Some kind of configuration change to make these things work better?

There is a setting in Stuffit to look for updates, you need to turn that off. As for Mail, why would you be running it anyway without an internet connection? If you are using a local mail server, make sure you don't have some settings wrong for it.

I have no internet in my dorm room, but once I go to the Library I have a wireless connection. So in my room I write my e-mails and then when at school, I can send them. I'll do the stuffit thing... but Solitaire XL does the same thing.... I would really like way to tell all applications that there is no internet connection despite the fact that there is a network connection. To me it seems presumptious for something to assume that there is internet wherever there is a network connection. Maybe I'm thinking too much though.

Many shareware programmers do make bad assumptions like that, unfortunately. You may want to look through the preferences of that program and see if there is a similar setting. You can set Mail to not automatically connect (send/receive) on startup, I believe.