Why does "apt-get upgrade" want to upgrade my homebuilt packages?

[Jaime]

Hi all.

In learning how to build and use my own deb packages, I've found a
problem I can't fix. To briefly summarize, I have two (2) different
copies of less_382-2_i386.deb - one I downloaded from:
http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/l/less/less_382-2_i386.deb
(which I'll call "repodeb") and the other I built myself using
dpkg-buildpackage (which I'll call "customdeb").

When I install repodeb (using "dpkg -i"), running "apt-get upgrade"
tells me there's nothing to update. But if I purge repodeb from my
system and install customdeb (also using "dpkg -i"), running "apt-get
upgrade" tells me that customdeb needs upgrading.

I originally thought that there must be some difference in the control
files. Here's the control file from repodeb:

Package: less
Version: 382-2
Section: text
Priority: standard
Architecture: i386
Depends: libc6 (>= 2.3.2.ds1-4), libncurses5 (>= 5.4-1), debianutils (>=
1.8)
Installed-Size: 252
Maintainer: Thomas Schoepf <schoepf at debian.org>
Description: Pager program similar to more
Less is a program similar to more(1), but which allows backward
movement in the file as well as forward movement.  Also, less does not
have to read the entire input file before starting, so with large input
files it starts up faster than text editors like vi(1).  Less uses
termcap (or terminfo on some systems), so it can run on a variety of
terminals.  There is even limited support for hardcopy terminals.
.
Homepage: http://www.greenwoodsoftware.com/less/


The control file from customdeb is identical except for the
Installed-Size field (which says 256), so I don't think the control file
has anything to do with the problem.

I've also looked at the results of "apt-cache policy less" to try to
work out what's going on. Here's "apt-cache policy less" with repodeb
installed:
less:
  Installed: 382-2
  Candidate: 382-2
  Version table:
*** 382-2 0
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com hoary/main Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

And here's "apt-cache policy less" with customdeb installed:
less:
  Installed: 382-2
  Candidate: 382-2
  Version table:
     382-2 0
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com hoary/main Packages
*** 382-2 0
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Unfortunately, I don't understand the output - what do the asterisks
mean? "man apt_preferences" doesn't really help - to quote that man
page, "The APT preferences file does not affect  the choice of instance,
only the choice of version" - but repodeb and customdeb are the same
version.

I realize that raising the version number of customdeb would stop
apt-get wanting to upgrade it, but before I resort to artificial
solutions, I'd like to know why apt-get thinks customdeb needs
upgrading.

All always, any help, or pointers to somewhere/someone else would be
appreciated.

Thanks, Jaime