I am still using a workaround for synaptic though it is a better one - each session I have to type something into mepis utilities and it works as normal until session ends.

Headphones are another item.  they worked immediately with knoppix and ubuntu but dont with mepis.  its about five days since I started attempting a solution.  Zero response on the forum so far to my query- you always feel a bit uncomfortable when you get no reply.  It makes you think the 1) the solution is obvious and I have overlooked some basic documentation 2) I have broken some bit of forum etiquette - I didn't declare what kind of cream cake I had for afternoon tea or something.

There are brief moments when it is nice listening to the radio through the phones when the gf is watching telly.   It is a feature Iwould like but it looks like I will have to live without until I stumble upon a solution.

Showed my dad Puppy and Knoppix yesterday - he seemed interested.  he did warn that it could entail long phone calls if he starts experimenting with them.