I am assuming you are referring to the test servers linked from here:
http://test.openacs.orgIt is very likely a reflection of the test site Nick, yet on average I have been able to add applications and test them without problems in the past.
What errors are you getting? Which packages are you trying to install?
Some (like Photoalbum) may have dependencies that are not fulfilled on the test servers (e.g. local install of Imagemagick) that are causing the errors.
