Newb: Can I get a GUI on a server without all the Apps?

[Smartin]

Hi,

I need a lightweight GUI to run on Dapper server so I can run things like Firestarter.

Is it possible to install the Xubuntu desktop without all the associated applications? I don't want Abiword etc etc.

What command would I enter?

Do I have to install Xubuntu and then uninstall all the apps perhaps...?

Thanks!

Simon

[prodezigner]

well... you can install x and xfce seperately... or you can get the desktop and remove all programs you don't need.

[netlogic]

I think XFCE is way too BLOATED to be a server gui. It will install 200megs of junk you don't need. Try Fluxbox or Blackbox.

[zekopeko]

or even better. wmii

[Smartin]

well... you can install x and xfce seperately... or you can get the desktop and remove all programs you don't need.

prodezigner,

Thanks for the quick response...

What apt-get command would I use to install each of these?

sudo apt-get install ...?

(I really am a newb...)

Simon

[Smartin]

I think XFCE is way too BLOATED to be a server gui. It will install 200megs of junk you don't need. Try Fluxbox or Blackbox.

netlogic,

Fluxbox looks good...

Will I be able to run any of the GUI apps using Fluxbox, just as if I were using the standard Ubuntu desktop edition?

sudo apt-get install fluxbox?

Simon

[Smartin]

or even better. wmii

zekopeko,

This looks a bit to hairy for me! :lolflag:

Will this allow me to run things like Firestarter etc?

Simon

[Dr Small]

Fluxbox, IceWM, Blackbox, JWM, Openbox...
Any of them are lightweight and would work for what you need.

[koenn]

# 'universe' repo needs to be enabled for fluxbox
sudo apt-get install xorg x-window-system-core xterm xdm fluxbox

and yes, this will allow you to run just any gui app.
Just be aware that some feautures (panels ...) belong to the desktop environment/window manager. This means that you will NOT get (gnome) panels and menus with fluxbox. you'll get a fluxbox-style menu instead.

[RedSquirrel]

I would do:
sudo apt-get install xorg xterm fluxboxIf you decide to go with Fluxbox, remember to generate the menu. Just run

sudo update-menusafter you install the fluxbox package.

You could use a display manager (such as xdm), but it is not necessary. You could just create the file ~/.xinitrc with these two lines:

#!/bin/sh

exec startfluxbox
Make it executable as well:

chmod +x ~/.xinitrcWhen you want to have a GUI, you just run (from the console):

startxand that will start Fluxbox.


EDIT:

If you know the video driver you need, you can install that up front. That way, apt will only install the one you need and not a whole bunch of drivers you'll never use.

sudo apt-get install video-driver-package-name xorg xterm fluxbox

[Smartin]

# 'universe' repo needs to be enabled for fluxbox
sudo apt-get install xorg x-window-system-core xterm xdm fluxbox

and yes, this will allow you to run just any gui app.
Just be aware that some feautures (panels ...) belong to the desktop environment/window manager. This means that you will NOT get (gnome) panels and menus with fluxbox. you'll get a fluxbox-style menu instead.

koenn,

I have some more time to tinker... :-)

I have installed the Gutsy server with the other apps you mention above but...

Now all I have is a blue desktop with a taskbar at the bottom. I can't see any menus and can't get to a terminal even.

What do I do now? :confused:

Thanks!

Simon

[Smartin]

Hi,

Found this thread

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=371144

Going to have a go in a while... :-)

(Edit) Worked!

Thanks!

Simon

[koenn]

click (or right-click ?) anywhere on the desktop, and you should get a menu.

If not, that thread you found should get you going.

there's also a number of files in your home .fluxbox directory
one of them is the config file where you can manually edit the menu if need be (eg if installed apps did not create a meny entry

[reckless2k2]

if you only need to admin a server then i suggest webmin. you can then access a GUI admin panel for that machine from another machine via a web browser.