Do you mean you want to install a DEB package or a RPM? Be very careful on
installing up to date soft ware. Yes you may have all the depends, but if the
linux kernel is not the right version. It is not going to install. Please see
these links on to install software. All so see Ubuntu software site too.
http://monkeyblog.org/ubuntu/installing/
http://packages.ubuntu.com/
http://psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware

I think i mean! - install the debian vym 1.10.0 version on gutsy...
[it should have been there cf opensuse but i'd imagine missed the
cut-off]. I had a look at opensuse and then found the package
management rather complicated.

From what i can work out i need these packages from hardy.
vym_1.10.0-1ubuntu1.dsc
vym_1.10.0.orig.tar.gz
vym_1.10.0-1ubuntu1.diff.gz

or am i supposed to get the equivalent from debian

install fakeroot, debhelper, build essential, lintian, dh-make, devscripts.
easy as making a cup of tea!
One is supposed to make a directory and then somehow install the
compiled package. I'd be grateful if you could explain further about
the kernel - i think the versions are the same.