If you think that there are definitely important issues, which might not be possible to fix after the beta is released (ie. because they involve at least small bits of database or API modifications), then please let me know the issue links.
Here's my sense from glancing through the first couple pages of the critical queue: API changes that need a firm yes/no before beta: - Missing feature from schema API: load/save records : http:// drupal.org/node/169982 - actions.inc is always included, but breaks without actions.module: http://drupal.org/node/155828 - jQuery 1.1.4: http://drupal.org/node/170224 *Really* Critical bug fixes (we would actually do more harm to the project than good shipping a beta without these fixed, imo): - Menu update from D5 -> D6 : http://drupal.org/node/147657 (duh :P) - jQuery interaction with Garland breaks modules page: http:// drupal.org/node/134307 -- modules page totally unusable in Safari - First user installed as uid = 2 in MySQL 4.1: http://drupal.org/ node/149540 - will prevent user from administering the site if they're bitten by this bug, which appears on RHEL 4 and other distros. I will try and give it a typical 'webchick' touch over the weekend and update with any other critical issues (hopefully can work on fixing some of them too). -Angie