I was able to install it using aptitude like this http://aptitude.sourceforge.net/scre...infoscreen.jpg where it shows all the available versions for download.

Have you looked into running Debian instead of a Debian variant like Knoppix or Ubuntu? Debian developers have shipped Debian 3.1 (sarge) Mon June 6. I have it installed on a box & upgrading from KDE 3.3.2 to KDE 3.4.1 was as simple as adding the 1 line to the sources.lists & then aptitude dist-upgrade kde.

I wish you success.
James