frellwits

Updated article here – http://linuxuser.se/~lassekongo83/2009/05/installing-a-minimal-ubuntu-installation-with-a-minimal-gnome-desktop/

Do you also think that Ubuntu feels bloated and slow? It comes with too many packages and services that runs in the background. I for example don’t need a bluetooth service running in the background, and I don’t need anything that recognizes printers either. So what can be done about this?

Download a Ubuntu mini.iso image file. It allows you to install everything through the mirrors. If you run a CLI installation you can later install all packages you need by hand. It gives you more control over your installation. To test this out first you can create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox. Make sure you have internet access all the time, even when you try to install it on your computer.

When you boot up the mini.iso it will ask you for boot options. Now type cli and press enter to start the installation. A text-based installer will start. It’s very easy to understand, so just follow each step.

When everything is installed it’s time to login to update and upgrade your installation.

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

It’s time to install your desktop of choice. I prefer Gnome, or XFCE if I’m on a less powerful computer.

To install a simple Gnome desktop without too much crap, type this:

sudo aptitude install xorg gdm gnome-core

This will install xorg (that handles all the graphical stuff), gdm (login manager, you really don’t need this one, but it feels more usable with it) and a very basic Gnome desktop without themes or icons etc. (optional: if you want the Ubuntu splash to show instead of a lot of text when you boot and turn off your computer you can install usplash-theme-ubuntu.)

If you want Gnome to look better you can install some gtk engines and stuff.

sudo aptitude install gtk2-engines gtk2-engines-pixbuf ubuntu-art ubuntustudio-icon-theme

You’ll need a browser too – sudo aptitude install firefox or opera if you prefer that one. Ubuntu is now very minimal and doesn’t have much of what makes the original Ubuntu “easy”. There are no update manager or restricted drivers manager etc. Install the following packages for more usability:

sudo aptitude install gnome-mount gnome-volume-manager gnome-app-install synaptic alacarte file-roller 7-zip update-notifier update-manager build-essential jockey-gtk ubuntu-restricted-extras

A couple of extre packages that will make Ubuntu a bit easier. There are probably a lot more packages that can make Ubuntu easier. Find out more what each package does here: http://packages.ubuntu.com/

Can you feel how much faster Ubuntu is now? :)