Comment 15 for bug 45722

Confirmed here too on 8.04. This issue is also affects some other restricted packages MSTcorefonts, which also hang. If you're not showing "details", then the Synaptic or Add/Remove programs dialog box just appears to hang. Worse, it hangs with the main status not showing which package is causing the problem (ie, if it's just installing gstreamer, then that's what shows on the dialog, but it's really flash or core fonts which is causing the hang).

Every organisation I've worked at uses proxy servers for its internet access, so I'm surprised at jhodapp's assertion that they aren't as common as they used to be. Without them, it's often impossible to run corporate cache, policy filtering or anti-virus solutions for web browsing. I'd assert the opposite - that proxies are gaining popularity in corporate environments.

Regardless of their popularity, synaptic is essentially broken for restricted app installs if they are in use. I agree with Sander Marechal - this isn't "wishlist" - this is a serious bug, particularly given that the people most likely to be affected by the bug (those in corporate environments forced to use proxy servers) are also the most likely to want to use the apps that now don't install (Java, Flash, Microsoft fonts) as a result of the bug.