packages held back?

[Mike S <michael_six@users.sourceforge.net>]

ok it has been a very long time since I have written here, however I 
have been following a few threads, so first let me say this to Sven.

1.) I offer my sincere condolences in the personal tragedies that I am 
only vaguely aware of, but it was apparent that they were or at least 
seemed major, so the appropriate thing is to offer condolences, and I 
have and do.

2.) I much appreciate the help that you have given me atleast in a few 
areas, and you seem to know your stuff about the ins and outs of debian 
and I hope you continue here.

Now, onto the problem.  I am not totally clear about the differences 
between apt-get and aptitude, but after updating my package list last 
night I get this

> The following packages have been kept back:
>   galeon gdk-imlib1 gnomemeeting libc6 libc6-dev libdirectfb-0.9-22 
> libdirectfb-dev libpt-plugins-alsa
>   libpt-plugins-avc libpt-plugins-dc libpt-plugins-oss 
> libpt-plugins-v4l libpt-plugins-v4l2 libsdl1.2-dev
>   libsdl1.2debian libsdl1.2debian-all libxklavier10 yelp
when trying to do an apt-get upgrade.  When I use aptitude to attempt 
the same (aptitude upgrade) I get :

> The following packages are unused and will be REMOVED:
>   aalib1 bc cpp-3.3 docbook-dsssl esound gcalctool gconf-editor 
> gdk-imlib1 gnome-doc-tools gnome-games
>   gnome-games-data gnome-gv gnome-themes gnome-utils gnomemeeting gpdf 
> gs gs-common gs-gpl
>   gstreamer0.8-audiofile gstreamer0.8-mad gstreamer0.8-plugin-apps 
> gstreamer0.8-tools gtk2-engines-crux
>   gtk2-engines-lighthouseblue gtk2-engines-mist gtk2-engines-pixbuf 
> gtk2-engines-redmond95
>   gtk2-engines-smooth gtk2-engines-thinice gucharmap guile-1.6-libs 
> libcupsys2-gnutls10 libdb4.1 libdc1394-11
>   libdns16 libdps1 libebook8 libecal6 libedataserver3 libexif10 
> libflac6 libgimpprint1 libgsf-1 libgtkhtml2-0
>   libguile-ltdl-1 libisc7 liblwres1 libnetpbm10 liboggflac1 liboil0.2 
> libosp4 libpaper1 libpng10-0
>   libpt-1.8.3 libpt-plugins-alsa libpt-plugins-avc libpt-plugins-dc 
> libpt-plugins-oss libpt-plugins-v4l
>   libpt-plugins-v4l2 libsysfs1 libwnck4 libxaw7 libxft1 netpbm 
> openjade pmount portmap slang1 xfree86-common
I am totally stumped by these two things, apt-get upgrade removes 
nothing so I have used that for the past week, by why does aptitude want 
to remove the above packages, and what does "kept back" mean from 
apt-get?  checking the top of /var/log/Xorg.0.log I read that I am using
> X Window System Version 6.9.0 (Debian 6.9.0.dfsg.1-6 20060404132215 
> buildd@voltaire)
which is xorg-6.9.0 right?  Why is aptitude trying to remove 
xfree86-common which is a transitional package

I am running testing, if that help, and would appreciate any help from 
anyone

Thanks,
Mike