OK..solved my own question: should have been:
$ update-alternatives --display x-www-browser instead of: $ update-alternatives -display x-www-browser for the want of a dash an error message is returned. -- C -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [email protected] Archive: http://lists.debian.org/20100415131305.28e94...@mondo

