I do not use synaptic as last time a tried
it it used the gnome libraries, and I do not have these on my system. I use
the great and as yet unsurpassed fvwm for a window manager.
I don't see the logic behind not using a tool because it uses the libraries of a window manager you don't use.
You can still use fvwm all you like, have the gnome-libs, the kde-libs, the ratpoison-libs, whatever installed.
I really thought the days of "eewwww, that uses qt, BANISHED" were over.