In order to have complete manual control, just make /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1 and rc.inet2 non-executable. Then, create two small scripts which run the commands you need to start and stop the network services.

If rc.inet1 is chmod -x, then the lo interface never initializes during boot, which might affect other apps. I would think most people want lo to start automatically, most if not all the time?

Check the docs for your laptop.

Some have a Fn key or switch that can turn the wireless on and off. On my Dell 1545n, it's an Fn key; on my Asus, there's a switch on the front of the box just beneath the latch.

The OP voiced a preference to use software rather than hardware, although an Fn-Fx combination would qualify as software. On my Thinkpad T400, Fn-F5 is suppose to support that kind of option, but only directly for that proprietary system. I haven't fiddled with making that work. I probably need to write Yet Another Script and then map that script to the key combination. Supposed to control bluetooth too.

Hi All

Thanks for all the tips and possibilities.

My preference is to stick with the stock slackware scripts and configs and work with that. If I have to edit rc.inet1.conf before I shut down (in order to guarantee no wifi on next boot) that is fine. I would appreciate however some tips on the least intrusive way to do this (ie. what key lines should I comment out/change/delete) and what might the greater consequences of this be.

I'm mostly running on eth0, wired lan (and run local apache servers', so I need localhost), but occasionally travel and need to use public wifi or the home routers of friends (via wifi).

Many Thanks!

Just make rc.net1 non-executable to disable it on next boot.
"most people want lo to start automatically" I never had this behavior at all until recently when I started using a wireless router. I run a lot of the time as root, so I prefer to have networking setup as a completely manual operation, to avoid security risks.

Thanks guys and girls, I'll be going gnashley's route and see how it goes.

Mark solved.