Basic question from a Debian new boy

[palmer@zetnet.co.uk (Harry)]

	As far as I can tell, any given application in the Debian
distribution is embedded in one of the *.deb files with any number of
other applications. Is there a document available that tells which
apps are contained in which *.deb packages?
	Further to this, to help the Linux newcomer (for which one of
the biggest problems is sifting through the bewildering array of
available applications, the functions of which are often duplicated in
other, similar applications), is there a document available which
gives a summary of the function, purpose and usage of the many and
varied applications available for Linux? Surely it can't be the case
that the only way to decide which apps are best for any one individual
is for him to install and try them all, or (worse) to rely on Joe
Bloggs in such-and-such a newsgroup who says "I use this package
because it's great"? ie what we need is an informed qualitative
assessment of what's available. Does such a thing exist anywhere?

Thanks to all who contribute to this list, which is proving priceless
to me.

Harry