Boot directly to application without loading GUI?

[ezzy25]

This seems like a simple thing to do, but I have searched for days without finding an easy solution. I would like to boot up the computer and have it immediately launch an application without showing or loading the launcher or top panel. I still want the functionality of everything in Ubuntu, just don't want to see the GUI.

I am running Ubuntu 12.04 on an old Dell Optiplex G270 (P4, 1GB RAM) and for some reason using compiz or Ubuntu Tweak to hide the launcher and top panel (or change opacity) is not working.

[oldfred]

The gui has to be running as the applications depend on it. But what you seem to want is a kiosk type install? They normally just launch a browser, but I think it could be anything.

Kiosk discussions:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1872560
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1881141
http://www.alandmoore.com/blog/2011/...-2011-edition/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Sett...Web-Appliance/
chromium kiosk using Tiny Core Linux. Talk about small and light!
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1891594
http://spins.fedoraproject.org/kiosk/#home

[ezzy25]

There isn't an easy way to start Ubuntu just without displaying the launcher and top panel? I will read through the kiosk discussions- that may be what I'm looking for. Thank you for the links.