Used gdebi to install dependencies stuff, then dpkg worked... now have LinuxCNC installed.
I am trying to follow instructions as presented, but there is a lot of stuff to get up to speed on and it is difficult (for me) to remember all the various bit n' pieces and in shuffling things around I have probably confused myself - hence the clean install and going back from basics to walk though the installation process from scratch.
This restart is meant to simplify the process, rather than just spinning my wheels.
I will do the Probe-Basic stuff tomorrow... as it's getting later here in the UK and it's time to shut down for the night
Thanks for the time and help, it is appreciated.