Directly using dpkg could be dangerous, but...
doesn't the n900 have apt-get? (I don't have one, so I don't know)
Coming from a big linux distro with excellent package management, I never could make any sense of the red pill thing, so I use apt-get. In my experience it is easier, faster and safer.
While I think that removing features is not a good thing, in this particular case I think it is better for everyone.