[ILUG] [Q] comparing/verifying packages on Debian?

[Brian Foster]

 this could be — should be? — a really simple question,
 but since my admin experience with Debian is zilch,
 I'm a bit lost ATM....

 I have access to two Debian machines, A and B, which
 are similar(/identical?) hardware.
 ( you may assume both machines are _supposed_ to Sarge 3.1,
  but do _not_ assume anything too much about how they were
  installed — I suspect unknown differences in installation
  procedures are the root cause of several oddities. )
 I am _not_ superuser (root) on either.
 I can ssh(1) to, from, and between the two.
 I want to compare the packages installed on A with those
 installed on B:
   + what does A have that B doesn't?
   + what does B have that A doesn't?
   + what do both have, but _different_ versions?

 maybe related, I would also like to verify, or at least
 make a sensible guess (keeping in mind I'm not root),
 whether or not a package is installed correctly.
 (ATM, it's permissions that I think are fscked up.)

 pointers or recipes would be appreciated.

cheers!
	-blf-
-- 
Experienced (20+ yrs) kernel/software Eng: | Brian Foster   Montpellier,
 • Unix, embedded, &tc;  • Linux;  • doc;  | blf at utvinternet.ie   FRANCE
 • IDL, automated testing, process, &tc.   |  Stop E$$o (ExxonMobile)!
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