Put on hold, de-hold, what version of the package: echo packagename hold | dpkg --set-selections echo packagename install | dpkg --set-selections apt-cache policy packagename | grep Installed COLUMNS=120 dpkg -l | grep string
Even cooler is that you can take dpkg --get-selection's output, then import it on another comnputer with dpkg --set-selections to copy one package setup from one computer to the next.
A tool with a graphical interface which allows you to create one or more CDs or DVDs (you choose the type of media) with all of the packages you've downloaded via APT-GET or APTITUDE, creating a removable repository that you can use on other computers.