Definition of "quote":

If ascii is fully upgraded, you should be good to go.

In Synaptic there is an option under "Status" for "Installed (auto removable)".  Some other options are also available if you poke a around a bit.  I am rather sloppy about tending to such things . . .

Did you upgrade ascii before changing your sources list to beowulf?

This is a comment not an answer to your question(s).   I use synaptic most of the time. I also usually start from scratch with a new install so I don't have many upgrades under my belt.  I know you have your reasons but I would never trust a dist upgrade to synaptic. I would do it in a terminal.  Just my .02.

I hope it works out for you . . .

Please read the Beowulf Release Notes.

That's quite a rant but has no useful description of what you did to get to beowulf.   Did you read the Release Notes and follow the installation documentation?

Let's see a copy of your sources.list

Just for the record.  I have no mobile devices  and all my devices are wired.  I have not yet found a need for wifi which simplifies my life greatly (after it's hooked up).

@bimon . . . Thank you

Why are systemd files present in Devuan?

That was before elongind replaced libsystemd.  There shouldn't be any libsystemd0 in beowulf.

@pcalvert . . . Thank you for that rational and lucid explanation.  Looks like you have contributed an import tool for Debianistas  to regain their init freedom.  Well done!!

Anything in cli is a lot of work for me.  I saw his post and glazed over.  I'm really not that much of a techie.  My "talents" lie elsewhere.  That's why I was asking for some comparative Cliff Notes.

I wouldn't have posted this if I didn't have great respect for pcalvert.  It's just that comparative discussion would be useful to me (so I don't have to figure it out myself . . . which is, in reality, a non-starter . . . LOL!).

That information is all over devuan channels and documentation for those who care to rtfm.