Connection drops and a wrong bitrate on a pre-release kernel
A user on a pre-release kernel with a 32-bit install wrote up two problems. The reported link speed showed 1 Mb/s even though signal and noise figures looked healthy, which was a cosmetic reporting issue.
The more serious problem was frequent disconnection from an open access point at good signal strength, with scanning warnings appearing in the kernel log around each drop.
Takeaway. When a link looks strong but keeps dropping, collect the signal and noise figures, the kernel version and the log lines around each drop before changing settings.