The alternative to red-pill is apt-get? I know that Application Manager keeps a separate set of data than apt-get and I've heard that bad things happen if you mix and match. And they have in practice. Application manager is supposed to keep track of packages for a backup and restore after flash. apt-get doesn't. For that matter red-pill mode doesn't.

As I mentioned, Ubuntu and debian (and every other deb based distribution I've used) don't have a concept of "red pill". Many have a user front end, but it actually causes more confusion and possible damage to try to manage packages two different ways.

And I think part of the problem is "red-pill" is a catch-all. Instead of being able to just make other packages visible and installable, it also enables a half-dozen other things in Application Manager. All-or-none.

So we have the Padded Cell version of application manager or the Obstacle Course version of application manager and nothing in between, so if there is ever any question of where something might go (package or feature), it ends up in the obstacle course mode just because no one wants to take a chance. And once there it can never be redeemed.

There is no middle "power user" setting. Perhaps there should be.