Thanks to both of you.

@fsmithred . . . There was a time when I experimented a lot with about:config customization. That was then . . .

An about-blank page has always had "about:blank" in the urlbar until the last update after Chimaera moved to old,old stable and DDG decided to appropriate that "empty" space. I don't understand why there even has to be a default search engine. I have removed all the other search engines I use from the list. I'm not that happy with any of them

@HardSun . . . Thanks for taking the time to respond. The tab is not the problem it is the ddg icon which precedes it that I find annoying. Why can't I just choose whichever search engine I want at that time! I think the point is to box us all into patterns that will move us further down the chute to the abattoir . . .

/me longs for the idylic pre-digital days . . .

UPDATE . . .

There has been no substantive response from Dyne regarding the OP's question. 

Not necessarily. I sent them an email and now we wait for a response.

Working on it . . .

Dyne.org handles all of Devuan's finances. You'll have to ask them.

Thanks for that. Not surprising at all!

I am still all wired and don't even own a functional cell phone!! And my vacuum is over 30 years old but still gets the job done even with parts of it being taped together.

Welcome to Devuan, rosun . . .

I can't begin to answer your question (for many reasons) but probably no one else can either because there is no information about which installer you used or any  other important installation data. Please do try to give us more details.

This addition is a bit off-topic but possibly historically relevant/interesting, especially to the younger generation who might be unaware of its existence over 25 years ago. I have used this method several times over the years and it never failed me:

HowTo Build a Package from Source the Smart Way (from Soul Singin')
https://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=38976

My package building days are long over but I am wondering if reinventing the wheel is just a face-lift or something completely different.

Please do not quote entire posts. Trim them to essential points you want to hi-light. Thanks.

I've been boycotting github for years . . . MS can kiss my skinny behind. 

We are like "cattle" being herded into the abattoir of commerce and control to enrich the rich and eliminate personal freedom.

/me is reluctant to search what NSFW stands for (and I don't want to know) but 2 seconds of viewing the home page was quite unpleasant . . .