[PLUG] Minimal Ubuntu desktop build

["Eric H. Johnson" <ejohnson@camalytics.com>]

Hi all,

JP asked at dinner about doing a minimal install of Ubuntu desktop. This is
what I did for a minimal system. I wrote up “brain dead” instructions, so
it has much more detail than most of the people here would need. This was
done with Ubuntu 12.04. Some things have changed since then, so YMMV.

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Download Ubuntu 12.04 Server

Install minimal Ubuntu 12.04 server

Select language
Select F4 and select "Install a minimal system"
Select language
Select Country
Detect Keyboard (usually no)
Select country of origin
Select keyboard layout
Enter host name (privacyws)
Select time zone
Full name for the new user: Privacy Workshop User
Username for your account: privacy
Password: Pick a password: privacy
Re-enter password: privacy
if prompted for "Use weak password" select yes or enter a stronger password
Encrypt your home directory: No
Select partitioning method: Guided - use entire disk
Select disk partition:
Write changes to disk: Yes
Enter proxy information if necessary (usually not necessary on a VM).
Select "No automatic updates"
Choose software to install: Do not select any software, just continue
Install the GRUB boot loader...: Yes
Installation complete: Select continue
When rebooting, power off machine

Install basic packages

Login with user name and password specified at install
Install packages as follows:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y xorg
sudo apt-get install -y gnome-core --no-install-recommends
sudo apt-get install -y gdm ubuntu-artwork compiz-gnome firefox
sudo reboot

Resume installation from GUI environment

Select the user created at installation (Privacy)
>From the status bar select "Ubuntu Classic (No Effects)"
Note: this is temporary until all software catches up.
Enter password
Select Applications | Accessories | Terminal

Change the root password:
sudo su
passwd <Set the password for root to be the same as the local user>
exit

Install some basic system utilities
sudo apt-get install -y synaptic alacarte firestarter xdg-utils
sudo apt-get install -y update-manager

Install application software as desired.
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Regards,
Eric



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