When I ran aptitude today it suddenly wanted to remove dozens of vital applications. I therefore purged aptitude and reinstalled it, following which it behaved rationally again. I've had this once or twice before. It makes me think that apt-get is probably safer. Anthony -- ac@acampbell.org.uk || http://www.acampbell.org.uk for using Linux GNU/Debian || blog, book reviews, electronic Windows-free zone || books and skeptical articles