Thanks Moebusnet
While I was trying various flavors including Lubuntu seems to me I attempted to install software where / account was required. Okay root in terminal like I remember years ago being a GUI slave blindly stabbing around in the dark with a dull broken knife. Well the terminal didn't like that one and after a moment of wondering the lights went on and typed sudo and all went well. Now I'm an "advanced GUI Slave" blindly stabbing around with at least a knife.
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