A Really Small Ubuntu Install

Ubuntu is a great linux operating system, that comes in many official (like kubuntu and xubuntu) and unofficial (like mint & crunchbang) forms. Unfortunately, after years of using it as a second desktop or server I have found no single installation that suits my needs perfectly.

So here I've come up with some basic apt-get calls that installs just the packages I want, with as little bloat as I can, whilst still being suitable for a desktop or server use.

Install from CD

My apt-get executions rely on a previous installation. I suggest using either the server or the mini installation disks.

Apt-get

Once you have installed the base system, work through the following command line code.
Firstly, lets get a very basic Gnome desktop up and running.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install gnome-core gdm

You also might like a few accessories to make Gnome a bit more functional and better looking.

sudo apt-get install update-notifier fast-user-switch-applet x11-xserver-utils \
    jockey-gtk gnome-utils gnome-nettool \
    gdebi gcalctool hal \
    tangerine-icon-theme human-theme \
    gksu system-monitor

If you want to install the gnome network manager, then you have a little bit of work to do. Open /etc/network/interfaces.

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

And remove, or comment out the options below 'primary network interface'. Then install the network manager.

sudo apt-get install network-manager

If you are using this as a desktop machine, then you probably want some applications. I suggest customizing for your own needs.

sudo apt-get install firefox abiword vlc \
    transmission filezilla gnumeric

Here are a few utilities that you may want, check them carefully, if you don't need it don' install it.

sudo apt-get install adblock-plus firebug firefox-webdeveloper \
gparted ubuntu-restricted-extras lame \
ffmpeg synaptic terminator \
conky build-essential ufw \
ntfsprogs

If you will be running a webserver then you probably want this lot too!

sudo apt-get install apache2 php5-mysql libapache2-mod-php5 \
mysql-server php5-gd php5-cli \
apt-mirror vino openssh-server \
htop vim zend-framework

Warnings!

So that probably took a while to complete, I hope it worked! I have not completed testing on all of this yet so if it didn't work please let me know: