okay, how about this as a solution. the debconf / apt xserver configuration performs a detection that xfree86 has failed (runs it).
then it checks the configuration and the fonts options and then asks, based on that information, "it has been noted that [you do not have xfonts-base installed], nor [do you have xfs installed]. your system is unlikely to work without access to fonts. what do you want to do? - add an extra line to your xf86config to use xfs on a remote server - install xfs or some local fonts later - install xfs locally, now - install xfonts-base and some other fonts, now. - sort things out yourself, later. " ? -- ---------------------------------------------------------- this message is private, confidential, and is intented for the specified recipients only. if you received in error, altered, deleted, modified, destroyed or interfered with the contents of this message, in whole or in part, please inform the sender (that's me), immediately. if you, the recipient, reply to this message, and do not then receive a response, please consider your reply to have been lost or deliberately destroyed: i *always* acknowledge personal email received. please therefore take appropriate action and use appropriate protocols to ensure effective communication. thank you.
