...looks like a really nice idea!
I look forward to seeing the code.
One comment:
One thing that I miss is the ability to select a few packages that I know have dependencies, and then see all the results in the chooser.
For example, when doing a clean install, I will often select, say "libtool", "gcc", as a shortcut for getting lots of other packages selected - and I want to see them selected, so that I can read through the package names, and make sure I have everything I want selected. So, I think what is needed is a way to add the results of the dependency check to the selected packages, _without_ going on to the install phase.
I'm not sure what the best UI for this is, though. Perhaps, change:
Checkbox: [X] Install these packages to meet dependencies (RECOMMENDED)
to:
Button: Install these packages to meet dependencies
Checkbox: [ ] (default off) Force installation with broken dependencies (NOT RECOMMENDED)
And have "Next >" disabled until the user uses one or the other of the controls.
The advantage is this allows accepting the changes, and then going back to the chooser to review.
Max.