Citando David Epstein :
I have just started using Macports and I wonder how to get round the following annoying problem. Each port that I download
What do you mean by download?
complains about a number of files (between 5 and 35) that are "unregistered". The install stops at every single error and aborts. As a result, I have a great deal of manual work, deleting these unregistered files, having to restart the install each time. Moreover, using root privileges to delete the unregistered files creates unpleasant opportunities for typos.
I had a glance at the macports-users archive, but couldn't find an index. I tried Google, but couldn't find any sensible leads on this. I read "man port", but it's unclear to me exactly what each option does, and I'm concerned that I'll do the wrong thing.
1. Where can I find a fuller explanation of the options to "port" than that given by "man port"?
Fuller, I don't think it exists. Clearer maybe in the new guide http://geeklair.net/new_macports_guide but the man page should be the most exhaustive source.
2. How should I proceed in the light of the difficulties explained in the first paragraph?
You should report which port you are trying to install, what files come in the way (unregistered), at which phase in the installation it happened and who you think installed them. And then either file a ticket on trac.macports.org (after checking that it has not already been reported) either tell the people here.
3. I am tempted to download the entire Darwinports/Macports tree, but it looks as though this would take ages even without the manual work described above.
Downloading the tree means getting the source of macports and the recipes (Portfiles) of the ports. It does not conflict with anything. Installing all the ports on the other hand would really take ages, is impossible (some ports are conflicting with each other and they are supposed to), and has no interest. You should just install what you need or think you may need. Emmanuel