Perhaps they should be conffiles, and folks should be told about `ediff' editting with emacs. I usually say N when it asks, then go to an XEmacs and do [Tools | Compare | Two Files...] and merge the new into the old, if appropriate. If you want a one button computer, buy a Mac. What's it like to upgrade several systems? Are conffiles often the same, or would it require editting this way on every box?