For deciding what packages you need, I'd suggest you start over with your install. Select the custom package selection option (or was that "expert"?), so that you start only with the base system.
Then, select a few things that you KNOW you'll need if they're not a part of base, such as... apt-get and dselect ipmasq vi (or your favorite editor, emacs is HUGE compared to other editors) ... hmm, I can't think of any other non-base packages you'll NEED, though you may find that other things are quite usefull. Sit down with a nice cup of tea and browse the "net" and "admin" sections of dselect and see if there's anything you might need or want. I suggest installing the bare minimum, and then adding one new package at a time (plus it's required and maybe suggested packages), so that you really get to know what's on that system. -- Did you know that if you play a Windows 2000 cd backwards, you will hear the voice of Satan? That's nothing! If you play it forward, it'll install Windows 2000.
