some packages are "masked". To install them, you have to Edit /usr/portage/profiles/package.mask There definitely should be documentation about this at least in man portage or portage --help This documentation should explain: What does "masked" mean, why are some packages "masked"? How can you install them anyway, what are the risks involved? If that should not be possible in man or --help, this documentation should really be in the portage-manual.
*** Bug 5606 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
Eric, Please fix this. //ZhEN
does our new stable/testing brach setup moot this...it will at least change it right?
Hmm, yes, I think it does. Keep this bug until that time, then mark it FIXED when the new system goes into effect. //ZhEN
Go ahead and make a guide/mention describing BOTH of these systems as they go hand in hand. //ZhEN
Doc'd.