//Sets default release
APT::Default-Release "unstable";


// auto-remove breaks on meta packages
APT::Get::AutomaticRemove "0";
APT::Get::HideAutoRemove "1";

// Recommends are as of now still abused in many packages
APT::Install-Recommends "0";
APT::Install-Suggests "0";
Debug::pkgAutoRemove "0";

// PDiffs reduce the required download for apt-get update, but increase the
// CPU requirements and quite often fail.
// Acquire::PDiffs "0";


if you have issues with tons of extra packages installing use the above which disables installing recommends and suggests.

if you use aptitude you can do the same thing with aptitude install foo -R but you have to use the -R every time so why not just edit your /etc/apt/apt.conf instead.
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