I've noticed that when bootup manager is launched from the menu it doesn't have the same authentication dialog as synaptic. To be consistent they probably should be.
Just a thought on smoothing. ;)
I see the same exact thing for both in FluxBox... What are you seeing different ones in?
I was in flux, but I'll check again to see what version I have installed. Pretty sure it's the latest though.
Not urgent, and I'm not at home just now.
:)