I think it would be helpful to change something on Part 5 of the macports install page: http://trac.macosforge.org/projects/macports/wiki/InstallingMacPorts It says: Open a terminal window. Execute the MacPorts selfupdate command. port selfupdate or for verbose output: port -d selfupdate Adding "sudo" would help us newbies and make it a pleasurable experience: Open a terminal window. Execute the MacPorts selfupdate command. sudo port selfupdate or for verbose output: sudo port -d selfupdate Without the "sudo" one gets: rsync: mkstemp "/opt/local/var/db/dports/sources/ rsync.rsync.darwinports.org_dpupdate_dports/devel/subversion- javahlbindings/.Portfile.oow5Yw" failed: Permission denied (13) rsync: mkstemp "/opt/local/var/db/dports/sources/ rsync.rsync.darwinports.org_dpupdate_dports/python/py- fpconst/.Portfile.16crKY" failed: Permission denied (13) rsync: mkstemp "/opt/local/var/db/dports/sources/ rsync.rsync.darwinports.org_dpupdate_dports/python/py25-mx- experimental/.Portfile.8Cp6g4" failed: Permission denied (13) ~ http://christianbonanno.wordpress.com/ http://homepage.mac.com/christianbonanno/