After installing and successfully using Synaptic, I am now unable to start the program. I open an term logon as root and type 'synaptic'
The program wil flash on the screen and then close. The term registers the following error
"(synaptic:21513): Gtk-CRITICAL **: file gtkwidget.c: line 2041 (gtk_widget_hide): assertion `GTK_IS_WIDGET (widget)' failed"

I am not sure what is wrong, I have seem some patches for synaptic while searching against the error / symptoms but I have not seen any actual downloads for the patch or instructions to install.

I am admittedly new to Linux and am on my first installation of Fedora Core 3. After being a windows support tech for some time now I find the complex nature of Linux very rewarding and I am eager to learn as much as possible to become a potential contributor.

Thank you to anyone reading my post.

if you are new to Fedora Core 3, this will help you.
Scroll down to the part with yum, apt and synaptic.
Also, the page has a lot of useful instructions for a newb fedora core 3 user. enjoy