diff --git a/.bzrignore b/.bzrignore
index 4521dc6..29a8142 100644
--- a/.bzrignore
+++ b/.bzrignore
@@ -23,3 +23,4 @@ scripts/wicd-client
 scripts/wicd-curses
 translations/*
 wicd/wpath.py
+*tags
diff --git a/in/init=slackware=rc.wicd.in b/in/init=slackware=rc.wicd.in
index b15439c..10b3317 100755
--- a/in/init=slackware=rc.wicd.in
+++ b/in/init=slackware=rc.wicd.in
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 # This is defined in /usr/lib/python2.5/site-packages/wicd/wpath.py
 PIDFILE="%PIDFILE%"
+DAEMON="%SBIN%wicd"
 
 # Define start and stop functions
 
@@ -15,7 +16,7 @@ wicd_start() {
     echo "$PIDFILE and try again..."
     exit 1
   else
-    echo "Starting wicd daemon..."
+    echo "Starting wicd daemon: $DAEMON"
     wicd 2>/dev/null 1>&2
   fi
 }
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index f55b4a4..6d504de 100755
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ import subprocess
 VERSION_NUM = '1.6.0a1'
 # REVISION_NUM is automatically updated
 REVISION_NUM = 'unknown'
-CURSES_REVNO = 'r278'
+CURSES_REVNO = 'r279'
 
 try:
     if not os.path.exists('vcsinfo.py'):
diff --git a/wicd/backends/be-ioctl.py b/wicd/backends/be-ioctl.py
index aafe454..b4681a0 100644
--- a/wicd/backends/be-ioctl.py
+++ b/wicd/backends/be-ioctl.py
@@ -33,8 +33,7 @@ from wicd import misc
 from wicd import wnettools
 from wicd import wpath
 from wicd.wnettools import *
-from wicd.wnettools import strength_pattern, altstrength_pattern, wep_pattern, \
-                           signaldbm_pattern
+from wicd.wnettools import wep_pattern, signaldbm_pattern
 
 import iwscan
 import wpactrl
@@ -311,17 +310,10 @@ class WirelessInterface(Interface, wnettools.BaseWirelessInterface):
             
         # Link Quality
         ap['qual_found'] = True
-        try:
-            [(strength, max_strength)] = strength_pattern.findall(cell["stats"])
-            if max_strength:
-                ap["quality"] = 100 * int(strength) // int(max_strength)
-            else:
-                ap["quality"] = int(strength)
-        except ValueError:
-            ap['quality'] = misc.RunRegex(altstrength_pattern,cell["stats"])
-            if not ap['quality']:
-                ap['qual_found'] = False
-                ap['quality'] = -1
+        ap['quality'] = self._get_link_quality(cell['stats'])
+        if ap['quality'] is None:
+            ap['qual_found'] = False
+            ap['quality'] = -1
 
         # Signal Strength (only used if user doesn't want link
         # quality displayed or it isn't found)
@@ -338,7 +330,7 @@ class WirelessInterface(Interface, wnettools.BaseWirelessInterface):
         socket_loc = os.path.join(ctrl_iface, self.iface)
         if os.path.exists(socket_loc):
             try:
-                return wpactrl.WPACtrl(socket)
+                return wpactrl.WPACtrl(socket_loc)
             except wpactrl.error, e:
                 print "Couldn't open ctrl_interface: %s" % e
                 return None
@@ -498,10 +490,12 @@ class WirelessInterface(Interface, wnettools.BaseWirelessInterface):
         buff = get_iw_ioctl_result(self.iface, SIOCGIWSTATS)
         strength = ord(buff[2])
         max_strength = self._get_max_strength()
-        if strength and max_strength:
+        if strength not in ['', None] and max_strength:
             return 100 * int(strength) // int(max_strength)
-        
-        return strength
+        elif strength not in ['', None]:
+            return int(strength)
+        else:
+            return None
     
     def _get_max_strength(self):
         """ Gets the maximum possible strength from the wireless driver. """
diff --git a/wicd/misc.py b/wicd/misc.py
index e0a69c6..feafbf7 100644
--- a/wicd/misc.py
+++ b/wicd/misc.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import gobject
 from threading import Thread
 from subprocess import Popen, STDOUT, PIPE, call
 from commands import getoutput
+from itertools import repeat, chain, izip
 
 # wicd imports
 import wpath
@@ -243,9 +244,11 @@ def ParseEncryption(network):
 
     # Write the data to the files then chmod them so they can't be read 
     # by normal users.
-    f = open(wpath.networks + network["bssid"].replace(":", "").lower(), "w")
-    os.chmod(wpath.networks + network["bssid"].replace(":", "").lower(), 0600)
-    os.chown(wpath.networks + network["bssid"].replace(":", "").lower(), 0, 0)
+    file_loc = os.path.join(wpath.networks,
+                            network['bssid'].replace(":", "").lower())
+    f = open(file_loc, "w")
+    os.chmod(file_loc, 0600)
+    os.chown(file_loc, 0, 0)
     # We could do this above, but we'd like to read protect
     # them before we write, so that it can't be read.
     f.write(config_file)
@@ -690,4 +693,31 @@ def timeout_add(time, func, milli=False):
     else:
         if not milli: time = time * 1000
         return gobject.timeout_add(time, func)
- 
+
+def izip_longest(*args, **kwds):
+    """ Implement the itertools.izip_longest method.
+    
+    We implement the method here because its new in Python 2.6.
+    
+    """
+    # izip_longest('ABCD', 'xy', fillvalue='-') --> Ax By C- D-
+    fillvalue = kwds.get('fillvalue')
+    def sentinel(counter = ([fillvalue]*(len(args)-1)).pop):
+        yield counter()         # yields the fillvalue, or raises IndexError
+    fillers = repeat(fillvalue)
+    iters = [chain(it, sentinel(), fillers) for it in args]
+    try:
+        for tup in izip(*iters):
+            yield tup
+    except IndexError:
+        pass
+
+def grouper(n, iterable, fillvalue=None):
+    """ Iterate over several elements at once
+
+    "grouper(3, 'ABCDEFG', 'x') --> ABC DEF Gxx"
+
+    """
+    args = [iter(iterable)] * n
+    return izip_longest(fillvalue=fillvalue, *args)
+
diff --git a/wicd/networking.py b/wicd/networking.py
index 8ea3fe8..c308790 100644
--- a/wicd/networking.py
+++ b/wicd/networking.py
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ class ConnectThread(threading.Thread):
             print 'Setting the broadcast address...' + self.network['broadcast']
             iface.SetAddress(broadcast=self.network['broadcast'])
         
-    @abortable            
+    @abortable
     def set_ip_address(self, iface):
         """ Set the IP address for the given interface. 
         
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ class ConnectThread(threading.Thread):
                     self.abort_connection(dhcp_status)
                 return
         
-    @abortable            
+    @abortable
     def set_dns_addresses(self):
         """ Set the DNS address(es).
 
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ class ConnectThread(threading.Thread):
                            self.network.get('dns_domain'),
                            self.network.get('search_domain'))
 
-    @abortable        
+    @abortable
     def release_dhcp_clients(self, iface):
         """ Release all running dhcp clients. """
         print "Releasing DHCP leases..."
@@ -474,7 +474,7 @@ class ConnectThread(threading.Thread):
         finally:
             self.lock.release()
         
-    @abortable            
+    @abortable
     def put_iface_up(self, iface):
         """ Bring up given interface. """
         print 'Putting interface up...'
@@ -819,7 +819,7 @@ class WirelessConnectThread(ConnectThread):
         print 'Stopping wpa_supplicant'
         wiface.StopWPA()
         
-    @abortable    
+    @abortable
     def generate_psk_and_authenticate(self, wiface):
         """ Generates a PSK and authenticates if necessary. 
         
diff --git a/wicd/wicd-client.py b/wicd/wicd-client.py
index 36c8ba5..e69c5fd 100755
--- a/wicd/wicd-client.py
+++ b/wicd/wicd-client.py
@@ -109,12 +109,12 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
     Base Class for implementing a tray icon to display network status.
     
     """
-    def __init__(self, use_tray, animate):
+    def __init__(self, animate):
         if USE_EGG:
-            self.tr = self.EggTrayIconGUI(use_tray)
+            self.tr = self.EggTrayIconGUI()
         else:
-            self.tr = self.StatusTrayIconGUI(use_tray)
-        self.icon_info = self.TrayConnectionInfo(self.tr, use_tray, animate)
+            self.tr = self.StatusTrayIconGUI()
+        self.icon_info = self.TrayConnectionInfo(self.tr, animate)
         
     def is_embedded(self):
         if USE_EGG:
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
 
     class TrayConnectionInfo(object):
         """ Class for updating the tray icon status. """
-        def __init__(self, tr, use_tray=True, animate=True):
+        def __init__(self, tr, animate=True):
             """ Initialize variables needed for the icon status methods. """
             self.last_strength = -2
             self.still_wired = False
@@ -133,7 +133,6 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
             self.tried_reconnect = False
             self.connection_lost_counter = 0
             self.tr = tr
-            self.use_tray = use_tray
             self.last_sndbytes = -1
             self.last_rcvbytes = -1
             self.max_snd_gain = 10000
@@ -203,7 +202,7 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
         @catchdbus
         def update_tray_icon(self, state=None, info=None):
             """ Updates the tray icon and current connection status. """
-            if not self.use_tray or not DBUS_AVAIL: return False
+            if not DBUS_AVAIL: return False
 
             if not state or not info:
                 [state, info] = daemon.GetConnectionStatus()
@@ -330,7 +329,7 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
         tray icons.
 
         """
-        def __init__(self, use_tray):
+        def __init__(self):
             menu = """
                     <ui>
                         <menubar name="Menubar">
@@ -361,7 +360,6 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
                                                                   props.parent)
             self.gui_win = None
             self.current_icon_path = None
-            self.use_tray = use_tray
             self._is_scanning = False
             net_menuitem = self.manager.get_widget("/Menubar/Menu/Connect/")
             net_menuitem.connect("activate", self.on_net_menu_activate)
@@ -571,14 +569,9 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
             for machines running versions of GTK < 2.10.
             
             """
-            def __init__(self, use_tray=True):
+            def __init__(self):
                 """Initializes the tray icon"""
-                TrayIcon.TrayIconGUI.__init__(self, use_tray)
-                self.use_tray = use_tray
-                if not use_tray: 
-                    self.toggle_wicd_gui()
-                    return
-
+                TrayIcon.TrayIconGUI.__init__(self)
                 self.tooltip = gtk.Tooltips()
                 self.eb = gtk.EventBox()
                 self.tray = egg.trayicon.TrayIcon("WicdTrayIcon")
@@ -601,7 +594,6 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
 
             def set_from_file(self, val=None):
                 """ Calls set_from_file on the gtk.Image for the tray icon. """
-                if not self.use_tray: return
                 self.pic.set_from_file(val)
 
             def set_tooltip(self, val):
@@ -611,7 +603,6 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
                 tray icon.
 
                 """
-                if not self.use_tray: return
                 self.tooltip.set_tip(self.eb, val)
 
 
@@ -622,13 +613,8 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
             Uses gtk.StatusIcon to implement a tray icon.
             
             """
-            def __init__(self, use_tray=True):
-                TrayIcon.TrayIconGUI.__init__(self, use_tray)
-                self.use_tray = use_tray
-                if not use_tray: 
-                    self.toggle_wicd_gui()
-                    return
-
+            def __init__(self):
+                TrayIcon.TrayIconGUI.__init__(self)
                 gtk.StatusIcon.__init__(self)
 
                 self.current_icon_path = ''
@@ -645,7 +631,6 @@ class TrayIcon(object):
 
             def set_from_file(self, path=None):
                 """ Sets a new tray icon picture. """
-                if not self.use_tray: return
                 if path != self.current_icon_path:
                     self.current_icon_path = path
                     gtk.StatusIcon.set_from_file(self, path)
@@ -716,9 +701,6 @@ def main(argv):
     argv -- The arguments passed to the script.
 
     """
-    use_tray = True
-    animate = True
-
     try:
         opts, args = getopt.getopt(sys.argv[1:], 'nha', ['help', 'no-tray',
                                                          'no-animate'])
@@ -727,6 +709,8 @@ def main(argv):
         usage()
         sys.exit(2)
 
+    use_tray = True
+    animate = True
     for opt, a in opts:
         if opt in ('-h', '--help'):
             usage()
@@ -750,7 +734,7 @@ def main(argv):
         sys.exit(0)
 
     # Set up the tray icon GUI and backend
-    tray_icon = TrayIcon(use_tray, animate)
+    tray_icon = TrayIcon(animate)
 
     # Check to see if wired profile chooser was called before icon
     # was launched (typically happens on startup or daemon restart).
@@ -767,7 +751,8 @@ def main(argv):
                             'org.wicd.daemon.wireless')
     bus.add_signal_receiver(tray_icon.tr.tray_scan_started,
                             'SendStartScanSignal', 'org.wicd.daemon.wireless')
-    bus.add_signal_receiver(lambda: handle_no_dbus() or tray_icon.icon_info.set_not_connected_state(), 
+    bus.add_signal_receiver(lambda: (handle_no_dbus() or 
+                                     tray_icon.icon_info.set_not_connected_state()), 
                             "DaemonClosing", 'org.wicd.daemon')
     bus.add_signal_receiver(lambda: setup_dbus(force=False), "DaemonStarting",
                             "org.wicd.daemon")
diff --git a/wicd/wicd-daemon.py b/wicd/wicd-daemon.py
index 96ae287..c4015ce 100644
--- a/wicd/wicd-daemon.py
+++ b/wicd/wicd-daemon.py
@@ -1053,7 +1053,7 @@ class WirelessDaemon(dbus.service.Object):
         """ Returns the current signal strength. """
         try:
             strength = int(self.wifi.GetSignalStrength(iwconfig))
-        except:
+        except TypeError:
             strength = 0
         return strength
 
diff --git a/wicd/wnettools.py b/wicd/wnettools.py
index 2bfe775..774bb6d 100644
--- a/wicd/wnettools.py
+++ b/wicd/wnettools.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ essid_pattern = re.compile('.*ESSID:"?(.*?)"?\s*\n', __re_mode)
 ap_mac_pattern = re.compile('.*Address: (.*?)\n', __re_mode)
 channel_pattern = re.compile('.*Channel:? ?(\d\d?)', __re_mode)
 strength_pattern = re.compile('.*Quality:?=? ?(\d+)\s*/?\s*(\d*)', __re_mode)
-altstrength_pattern = re.compile('.*Signal level:?=? ?(\d\d*)', __re_mode)
+altstrength_pattern = re.compile('.*Signal level:?=? ?(\d+)\s*/?\s*(\d*)', __re_mode)
 signaldbm_pattern = re.compile('.*Signal level:?=? ?(-\d\d*)', __re_mode)
 mode_pattern = re.compile('.*Mode:(.*?)\n', __re_mode)
 freq_pattern = re.compile('.*Frequency:(.*?)\n', __re_mode)
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ class BaseInterface(object):
         the connection attempt.
 
         Keyword arguments:
-        pipe -- stdout pipe to the dhcpcd process.
+        pipe -- stdout pipe to the dhclient process.
         
         Returns:
         'success' if succesful', an error code string otherwise.
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ class BaseInterface(object):
         """ Determines if obtaining an IP using pump succeeded.
 
         Keyword arguments:
-        pipe -- stdout pipe to the dhcpcd process.
+        pipe -- stdout pipe to the pump process.
         
         Returns:
         'success' if succesful, an error code string otherwise.
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ class BaseInterface(object):
         
         while not dhcpcd_complete:
             line = pipe.readline()
-            if line.startswith("Error"):
+            if "Error" in line or "timed out" in line:
                 dhcpcd_success = False
                 dhcpcd_complete = True
             elif line == '':
@@ -1083,18 +1083,8 @@ class BaseWirelessInterface(BaseInterface):
 
         # Link Quality
         # Set strength to -1 if the quality is not found
-
-        # more of the patch from
-        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/wicd/+bug/175104
-        if (strength_pattern.match(cell)):
-            [(strength, max_strength)] = strength_pattern.findall(cell)
-            if max_strength:
-                ap["quality"] = 100 * int(strength) // int(max_strength)
-            else:
-                ap["quality"] = int(strength)
-        elif misc.RunRegex(altstrength_pattern,cell):
-            ap['quality'] = misc.RunRegex(altstrength_pattern, cell)
-        else:
+        ap['quality'] = self._get_link_quality(cell)
+        if ap['quality'] is None:
             ap['quality'] = -1
 
         # Signal Strength (only used if user doesn't want link
@@ -1190,6 +1180,22 @@ class BaseWirelessInterface(BaseInterface):
         bssid = misc.RunRegex(bssid_pattern, output)
         return bssid
 
+    def _get_link_quality(self, output):
+        """ Parse out the link quality from iwlist scan or iwconfig output. """
+        try:
+            [(strength, max_strength)] = strength_pattern.findall(output)
+        except ValueError:
+            (strength, max_strength) = (None, None)
+
+        if strength in ['', None]:
+            [(strength, max_strength)] = altstrength_pattern.findall(output)
+        if strength not in ['', None] and max_strength:
+            return (100 * int(strength) // int(max_strength))
+        elif strength not in ["", None]:
+            return int(strength)
+        else:
+            return None
+
     def GetSignalStrength(self, iwconfig=None):
         """ Get the signal strength of the current network.
 
@@ -1203,22 +1209,7 @@ class BaseWirelessInterface(BaseInterface):
             output = misc.Run(cmd)
         else:
             output = iwconfig
-
-        strength_pattern = re.compile('.*Quality:?=? ?(\d+)\s*/?\s*(\d*)',
-                                      re.I | re.M  | re.S)
-        altstrength_pattern = re.compile('.*Signal level:?=? ?(\d\d*)', re.I | re.M | re.S)
-        [(strength, max_strength)] = strength_pattern.findall(output)
-        if max_strength and strength:
-            if int(max_strength) != 0:
-                return 100 * int(strength) // int(max_strength)
-            else:
-                # Prevent a divide by zero error.
-                strength = int(strength)
-
-        if strength is None:
-            strength = misc.RunRegex(altstrength_pattern, output)
-        
-        return strength
+        return self._get_link_quality(output)
     
     def GetDBMStrength(self, iwconfig=None):
         """ Get the dBm signal strength of the current network.