Linux and wireless is pretty much a big mess. The problem is usually
with chipsets and drivers.

The easy solution is to attach a bridge to
your eth0 RJ45 port. A bridge is sometimes called a game adapter. A
bridge can be configured by browsing to the IP of the bridge. No drivers
are needed.

Slackware scripts rc.inet1 and rc.wireless will not work unless you are
working with a server or desktop in a fixed location. IOW, you will need
ALWAYS to be connecting to the SAME access point(AP). This is because
rc.wireless.conf ties the MAC of your adapter to a set of iwconf commands
that are directed to a specific AP.

If you are mobile, this will NOT work for you.

My rc.inet1 on my laptop does nothing more than set up lo. After boot, I
need to run an appropriate rc.wifi[Where-Ever-I-am] script to attach to an
AP. Each of these scripts contains the necessary iwconfig/ifconfig/dhcpc
commands to attach to the target AP. When a wifi is not available, I use
kppp to connect via my cell phone.

John