This question probably has an easy answer...

When one decides to "update the binaries" on their system (e.g. from a
different set of tarballs), what's the best way to do it so one does
not write over their current settings? My guess is to *not* untar the
"etc" tarball, but I want to be sure there isn't something else I
shouldn't do.

-- 
< Dameon D. Welch (dwelch@uplink.com, http://www.uplink.com/uplink/ ) >
     Cornfed - Duckman, maybe you should try distracting them by
               doing what Pee Wee Herman did in that movie.
     Duckman - First of all I don't think it's appropriate, second
               I'm not really in the mood.