I'm extremely new to the world of Linux and today i got a gentoo installation up and running, apparently successfully. However i was just running 'emerge-webrsync' and somehow managed to stop activity while it was syncing the tree. I was wondering if anyone knows whether i've buggered the system, and if so what i need to do to put things right

Mmmm - "extremely new" to linux and diving in Gentoo. Brave, very brave.
Portage is (generally) more robust than you can imagine.

I've never used emerge-webrsync, but I'd just re-run it.
Any reason you are using emerge-webrsync and not a simple "emerge sync" ???.

If i have some luck with gentoo i'll call it brave if not then i'll saw i was foolish lol. I ran the web version simply because i tried the other one first with no joy, typed in the second and it was off. Like i say i'm a bit noobish so i didn't think there would be too much difference between the two.

emerge-webrsync is used when your firewall or ISP blocks rsync.

emerge --sync or emerge sync uses rsync to update the portage tree.

Another way to update portage is download the latest portage tree package. Then decompress it to /usr/portage. Next type emerge --metadata to update the cache and the tree.

Installing Gentoo is easy if you do not mind reading instructions. Some people will get stuck on the partitioning and formatting. Others will freeze when they reach to the kernel step. Few will be insane when they see kernel panic.

That's a good one. You frequent Gentoo forums I guess? Best I've seen there so far was a noob who skipped the kernel part as too complicated and was wondering why system won't come up.

OK im not such a that i leave out critical components (at least i don't think so) but i have another problem. I was browsing around and i found a post that said using the -e flag while emerging portage would re-install it a fresh, as if from new. Wonderful i thought, a way to repair any damage i've done already, however at stage 11 it's exited out of the process saying "!!! Couldn't download binutils-2.16.1-patches-1.10.tar.bz2. Aborting." i ran it again just in case and the same thing happened. Now have i buggered the system? lol

emerge --skipfirst

Use this to skip failing package and carry on. After you are finished you can take care of that failed package.

Thanks for the advice Emerson, but tbh i don't think im an accomplished enough user to know what to do with the skipped package afterwards. Seeing as i have a captive audience (i hope) i was wondering if i could ask another question. I'm updating as much as of my system as possible with the intention of installing Asterisk on it, however when i ran "emerge -p - u --deep world" it generated this response "Calculating world dependencies... done!
[blocks B ] sys-apps/coldplug (is blocking sys-fs/udev-103)
[blocks B ] <media-sound/esound-0.2.36-r2 (is blocking app-admin/eselect-esd-20060719)
[blocks B ] <dev-python/pygtk-2.9 (is blocking dev-python/pygobject-2.12.3)
[blocks B ] >=sys-fs/udev-089 (is blocking sys-apps/coldplug-20040920-r1)
[blocks B ] kde-base/kde-env (is blocking kde-base/kdelibs-3.5.5-r5)
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/zlib-1.2.3-r1 [1.2.3]
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/gpm-1.20.1-r5 [1.20.1-r4]
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/ncurses-5.5-r3 [5.5-r2] USE="-trace%"
[ebuild U ] app-shells/bash-3.1_p17 [3.1_p16] USE="-vanilla%"
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/gettext-0.15 [0.14.4] USE="-nocxx%"
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/gnuconfig-20060702 [20060227]
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/db-4.2.52_p4-r2 [4.2.52_p2-r1] USE="-tcl% -test%"
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/openssl-0.9.8d [0.9.7j] USE="-sse2%"
[ebuild U ] app-admin/perl-cleaner-1.04.3 [1.04]
[ebuild U ] dev-lang/python-2.4.3-r4 [2.4.3-r1] USE="-tk%"
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/sed-4.1.5 [4.1.4-r1]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/texinfo-4.8-r5 [4.8-r2]
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/autoconf-wrapper-4-r3 [3.2]
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/m4-1.4.7 [1.4.4]
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/autoconf-2.61 [2.59-r7]
[ebuild N ] perl-core/Test-Simple-0.64
[ebuild N ] virtual/perl-Test-Simple-0.64
[ebuild N ] dev-perl/Locale-gettext-1.05
[ebuild N ] sys-apps/help2man-1.36.4 USE="nls"
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/automake-wrapper-3-r1 [1-r1]
[ebuild NS ] sys-devel/automake-1.10
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/groff-1.19.2-r1 [1.19.1-r2] USE="-cjk%"
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/man-1.6d [1.6-r1]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/man-pages-2.42 [2.33]
[ebuild U ] sys-kernel/linux-headers-2.6.17-r2 [2.6.11-r2] USE="-gcc64%"
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/com_err-1.39 [1.38]
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/ss-1.39 [1.38]
[ebuild U ] sys-fs/e2fsprogs-1.39 [1.38-r1]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/util-linux-2.12r-r4 [2.12r-r3]
[ebuild U ] app-arch/gzip-1.3.5-r10 [1.3.5-r8]
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/timezone-data-2006p [2006a] USE="nls%*"
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/findutils-4.3.2 [4.1.20-r2]
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/binutils-config-1.9-r3 [1.8-r7]
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/gcc-config-1.3.14 [1.3.13-r3]
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/bison-2.2 [2.1]
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/mpfr-2.2.0_p16 [2.2.0_p10]
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/gcc-4.1.1-r1 [4.1.1] USE="-test%"
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/glibc-2.4-r4 [2.4-r3] USE="-glibc-compat20%"
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/cracklib-2.8.9-r1 [2.8.9]
[ebuild U ] mail-mta/ssmtp-2.61-r2 [2.61]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/net-tools-1.60-r12 [1.60-r11]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/kbd-1.12-r8 [1.12-r6]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/busybox-1.2.2.1 [1.1.3]
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/glib-2.12.4-r1 [2.10.3]
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/atk-1.12.3 [1.11.4]
[ebuild N ] x11-misc/util-macros-1.1.0 USE="-debug"
[ebuild U ] x11-proto/kbproto-1.0.3 [1.0.2]
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/xf86bigfontproto-1.1.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild U ] x11-proto/xproto-7.0.7 [7.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/libXau-1.0.2 [1.0.1]
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/bigreqsproto-1.0.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/xcmiscproto-1.1.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/libX11-1.0.3 [1.0.1-r1]
[ebuild U ] media-libs/fontconfig-2.3.2-r1 [2.2.3] USE="-doc%"
[ebuild U ] media-libs/libpng-1.2.14 [1.2.12]
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/cairo-1.2.4 [1.0.4] USE="-directfb% -svg%"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/xineramaproto-1.1.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/xf86miscproto-0.9.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/resourceproto-1.0.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/xf86dgaproto-2.0.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] sys-apps/ed-0.2-r6
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/trapproto-3.4.3 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/recordproto-1.13.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/xf86driproto-2.0.3 USE="-debug"
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/file-4.18 [4.17-r1]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/coreutils-6.4 [5.94-r1]
[ebuild N ] media-fonts/font-util-1.0.1 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/fontcacheproto-0.1.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/libXfont-1.2.2 [1.1.0-r1]
[ebuild N ] x11-apps/bdftopcf-1.0.0 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/xf86rushproto-1.1.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/xf86vidmodeproto-2.2.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/evieext-1.0.2 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-misc/makedepend-1.0.0 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/glproto-1.4.8 USE="-debug"
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/libdrm-2.0.2 [2.0.1]
[ebuild U ] media-libs/mesa-6.5.1-r1 [6.4.2-r2] USE="nptl%* -doc%" VIDEO_CARDS="i810* mga* s3virge* savage* sis* tdfx* trident* via*"
[ebuild N ] net-misc/netkit-rsh-0.17-r7 USE="pam"
[ebuild N ] x11-apps/xsm-1.0.1 USE="-debug -xprint"
[ebuild U ] app-arch/rpm2targz-9.0-r5 [9.0-r3]
[ebuild U ] sys-libs/libutempter-1.1.4.1 [1.1.2.1]
[ebuild U ] x11-terms/xterm-222 [215] USE="-paste64%"
[ebuild N ] x11-proto/scrnsaverproto-1.1.0 USE="-debug"
[ebuild U ] x11-base/xorg-server-1.1.1-r1 [1.0.2-r7] USE="nptl%* sdl%* xorg%* -3dfx% -aiglx% -dmx% -kdrive%" INPUT_DEVICES="evdev%* keyboard%* mouse%* -acecad% -aiptek% -calcomp% -citron% -digitaledge% -dmc% -dynapro% -elo2300% -elographics% -fpit% -hyperpen% -jamstudio% -joystick% -magellan% -microtouch% -mutouch% -palmax% -penmount% -spaceorb% -summa% -synaptics% -tek4957% -ur98% -vmmouse% -void% -wacom%" VIDEO_CARDS="apm%* ark%* chips%* cirrus%* cyrix%* dummy%* fbdev%* glint%* i128%* i740%* i810%* imstt%* mga%* neomagic%* nsc%* nv%* rendition%* s3%* s3virge%* savage%* siliconmotion%* sis%* sisusb%* tdfx%* tga%* trident%* tseng%* v4l%* vesa%* vga%* via%* vmware%* voodoo%* -epson% -fglrx% (-impact) -mach64% (-newport) -nvidia% -r128% -radeon% (-sunbw2) (-suncg14) (-suncg3) (-suncg6) (-sunffb) (-sunleo) (-suntcx)"
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-ark-0.6.0 [0.5.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-tseng-1.1.0 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-vga-4.1.0 [4.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-v4l-0.1.1 [0.0.1.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-s3virge-1.9.1 [1.8.6.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-vmware-10.13.0 [10.12.0.0]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-nv-1.2.0 [1.0.2.0]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-neomagic-1.1.1 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-i740-1.1.0 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-i128-1.2.0 [1.1.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-siliconmotion-1.4.1 [1.3.1.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-dummy-0.2.0 [0.1.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-voodoo-1.1.0 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-input-evdev-1.1.2-r2 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-input-mouse-1.1.1 [1.0.4]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-apm-1.1.1 [1.0.1.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-i810-1.6.5 [1.4.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-trident-1.2.1 [1.0.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-input-keyboard-1.1.0 [1.0.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-cirrus-1.1.0 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-mga-1.4.2 [1.2.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-sisusb-0.8.1 [0.7.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-savage-2.1.1 [2.0.2.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-chips-1.1.1 [1.0.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-via-0.2.1-r1 [0.1.33.2]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-nsc-2.8.1 [2.7.6.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-rendition-4.1.0 [4.0.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-glint-1.1.1 [1.0.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-tga-1.1.0 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-s3-0.4.1 [0.3.5.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-cyrix-1.1.0 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-tdfx-1.2.1-r1 [1.1.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-vesa-1.2.1 [1.0.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-sis-0.9.1-r1 [0.8.1.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-fbdev-0.3.0 [0.1.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-drivers/xf86-video-imstt-1.1.0 [1.0.0.5]
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/pango-1.14.9 [1.12.3]
[ebuild U ] x11-misc/shared-mime-info-0.18-r1 [0.16]
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/gtk+-2.10.6 [2.8.19]
[ebuild U ] gnome-base/libglade-2.6.0 [2.5.1]
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/nspr-4.6.3 [4.6.1-r2]
[ebuild U ] app-arch/zip-2.31-r1 [2.31]
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/nss-3.11.3 [3.11-r1]
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/libIDL-0.8.7 [0.8.6]
[ebuild U ] gnome-base/orbit-2.14.2 [2.14.0]
[ebuild U ] gnome-base/libbonobo-2.16.0 [2.14.0]
[ebuild N ] app-text/libpaper-1.1.20
[ebuild U ] app-text/poppler-0.5.4 [0.5.3] USE="zlib%* -cjk%"
[ebuild N ] x11-apps/xprop-1.0.1 USE="-debug"
[ebuild N ] x11-misc/xdg-utils-1.0
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/libtasn1-0.3.5 [0.2.18]
[ebuild N ] dev-lang/nasm-0.98.39-r3 USE="-build -doc"
[ebuild NS ] dev-libs/lzo-2.02-r1 USE="-examples"
[ebuild U ] net-libs/gnutls-1.4.4-r1 [1.2.10] USE="nls%*"
[ebuild U ] net-print/cups-1.2.6 [1.1.23-r8] USE="X%* dbus%* jpeg%* png%* ppds%* -php% -tiff%"
[ebuild N ] net-print/foomatic-db-ppds-20060720
[ebuild N ] net-print/foomatic-filters-3.0.20060720 USE="cups"
[ebuild N ] net-print/foomatic-filters-ppds-20060720
[ebuild U ] media-libs/libmng-1.0.9-r1 [1.0.8-r1] USE="-lcms%"
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/qt-3.3.6-r4 [3.3.6-r1]
[ebuild U ] x11-libs/qt-4.1.4-r2 [4.1.2]
[ebuild U ] dev-python/pyrex-0.9.4.1 [0.9.3-r2]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/dbus-0.62-r2 [0.60-r4] USE="qt4%*"
[ebuild U ] gnome-base/gnome-mime-data-2.4.3 [2.4.2]
[ebuild U ] net-misc/neon-0.26.1-r1 [0.25.3] USE="nls%* -socks5%"
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/baselayout-1.12.6 [1.12.1]
[ebuild U ] sys-fs/udev-103 [087-r1]
[ebuild U ] sys-devel/make-3.81 [3.80-r4]
[ebuild N ] sys-kernel/gentoo-sources-2.6.18-r6 USE="-build -symlink (-ultra1)"
[ebuild U ] sys-fs/device-mapper-1.02.10-r1 [1.02.07]
[ebuild N ] dev-lang/swig-1.3.25 USE="perl python -doc -guile -java -php -ruby -tcl -tk"
[ebuild U ] dev-libs/libusb-0.1.12 [0.1.10a]
[ebuild U ] sys-apps/pciutils-2.2.3-r2 [2.2.0-r1]
"

Are these the types of errors i can skip using that command and if so will it be detramental to my system? Or im hoping there's another way around this. As im sure you've noticed i really am new to linux and i really appreciate the patience you guys have shown so far and the help you've given.
Also is there a command that changes the resolution?

Nope, you need to remove blocking packages. For instance coldplug is obsoleted, udev does the job. emerge -aC <package>

Excellent, cheers for that it worked a treat. However i now have two more questions, a) is it normal for people who are new to Linux and in particular gentoo to run into an obstacle at every step of the way or are this a symptom of botched attempt to do update something earlier and b)whilst running "emerge-u world" last night it stopped the operation apparently because it couldn't write to a protected folder "

!!! Cannot write to '/usr/share/X11/xkb/compiled'.
!!! Please check permissions and directories for broken symlinks.
!!! You may start the merge process again by using ebuild:
!!! ebuild /usr/portage/x11-base/xorg-server/xorg-server-1.1.1-r1.ebuild merge
!!! And finish by running this: env-update"

I was in the root directory which i thought meant this sort of thing couldn't happen? is there anything i can do about this or should i just re-install everything and see what happens?

BTW Emerson thanks for your continued assistance.

First we should define what obstacle is. But OK, yes, I think such obstacles are normal part of Gentoo upkeep. Later these won't be obstacles any more, you just look at them and carry on as needed.
Regarding that error ... If you had something like that with some exotic package I'd say it's a bug. Xorg however is a very common package so something must be wrong locally. Try cleaning out /var/tmp/portage and run emerge --resume. This will try to compile the same package again.

Bookmark this page for yourself.
Today you may want to read Portage and Related Documentation from there.