this has nothing to do with linux or the package management system in use (in fact, it is a good thing that you can't just remove system packages).

you have to keep in mind that this is an embedded system, not some stock x86 intel platform. many optimizations for mobile use, concerning battery life and so on, went into the software components of Maemo. these optimizations take time to be reimplemented and tested with newer versions, which is why the major version number of system packages hardly changes at all...


btw, under linux it's much easier to have multiple versions of the same software installed - via chroot (again, let me point you to Easy Debian )! i know of no comparable technology for windows systems.

and for the record, the different .NET frameworks aren't as "non-disturbing" as you think


the way windows currently manages multiple DLL versions isn't exactly a rosegarden either. just look at the WinSXS folder of a system after a few months... since windows has no idea which dlls could be of use some time in the future, it simply caches all of them, all the time. and don't you dare touch that folder, unless you like the colour blue...

Thanks again for your insightful answers!
I'll try out Easy Debian soon.

Did Audacity work properly? It would be great..

Would installing CSSU be able to fix the problem?
Cssu uses pr-fremantle-community instead of offended package (and I hope it has better dependencies).
Installing cssu is easy but you need use custom installer provided by package cssu enabler else package manager is going to foolishly remove pr-fremantle-generic at auto which almost sure will brick the device.
...

Some of those applications also exist in native Maemo versions. Screen is in SDK repo I think and Audacity can be found too.