While investigating that last business, one of the files I looked at was
/var/log/dpkg.log and in it I saw some more intriguing messages.  Thes
seemed to be related to tasks like configuration and installation being half
done.  LOTS of such messages.  Due to the asynchronous nature of multiple
updates being applied, I ran grep tcpdump /var/log/dpkg.log just to get a
related set of messages.  This query is NOT about tcpdump, it is about the
seemingly common action of doing half the job at a time.  Anyway, the output
showed:

2007-03-08 08:15:43 upgrade tcpdump 3.9.4-4 3.9.4-4ubuntu0.1
2007-03-08 08:15:43 status half-configured tcpdump 3.9.4-4
2007-03-08 08:15:43 status unpacked tcpdump 3.9.4-4
2007-03-08 08:15:43 status half-installed tcpdump 3.9.4-4
2007-03-08 08:15:43 status half-installed tcpdump 3.9.4-4
2007-03-08 08:15:43 status unpacked tcpdump 3.9.4-4ubuntu0.1
2007-03-08 08:15:43 status unpacked tcpdump 3.9.4-4ubuntu0.1
2007-03-08 08:15:47 status unpacked tcpdump 3.9.4-4ubuntu0.1
2007-03-08 08:15:47 status half-configured tcpdump 3.9.4-4ubuntu0.1
2007-03-08 08:15:47 status installed tcpdump 3.9.4-4ubuntu0.1

I could make a guess that the half jobs relate to getting pieces and
dependencies almost ready and then once all the parts are known to be ready
finishing the task.  Somewhat like replacing a working file by copying a new
one in place but with a temporary name so as not to disturb the original and
then doing a more atomic renaming process and finally removing the old
(renamed) file only after the new one is in polace and working.

Am I close or all wet?

-- 
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter
and those who matter don't mind.  - Dr. Seuss