Bug#29920: Wish for more verbosity on "has no installation candidate"

[Avery Pennarun <apenwarr@worldvisions.ca>]

Package: apt
Version: 0.1.7
Severity: wishlist

As you know, apt-get is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I just thought of something that would make my life easier, however.  When a
package is not found, I get a message like this:

  /home/apenwarr # apt-get -s install foo
  Updating package status cache...done
  Checking system integrity...ok
  E: Couldn't find package foo

That's as expected.  Now, sometimes when a package doesn't exist, I get a
message like this:

  ~ # apt-get -s install timezone
  Updating package status cache...done
  Checking system integrity...ok
  E: Package timezone has no installation candidate

That's because "timezone" has been replaced by "timezones" (for some silly
reason I can't imagine).  Anyway, there are a lot of packages like this. 
What would be nice is if instead of just telling me that timezone "has no
installation candidate", apt-get would tell me that the package "timezones"
replaces "timezone".  That way, I know to ask for the "timezones" package
next time.  Otherwise I have to grep through the Packages file, which sucks.

Similarly for Provides: packages.  For example, "apt-get install netscape"
isn't specific enough, but it would be great if apt-get would offer me some
suggestions on what to install instead.  There are a bunch of packages that
Provide: netscape.

Just a suggestion.  Feel free to ignore me if you're too busy :)

Have fun,

Avery