a non-bloated system?

[stevepoppers]

I use so few of the packages that come installed by default in ubuntu. 4 of the accessories, none of the games, one of the image things, none of the stuff that's not even in the main menu by default. Can I install Ubuntu without all this extra crap and pick what I want after install?

Are these programs just part of Gnome?

A little googling tells me that simple things like aptitude, wget, vi(m), and whois can be missing if I install the meta-package, ubuntu-minimal instead of ubuntu-standard. I don't know how to make that switch, anyway, but I might like to.

I guess this scratches the surface of a bigger question of the things installed on my computer by Ubuntu:
What components are Ubuntu?
What components are Gnome?
What components are plain Linux?

I want a very basic system, without any extra bloat, but with the ability to install any bloat I choose. This is a big reason I quit Windows.

[bodhi.zazen]

Yes.

I almost never do a default install these days, use the minimal CD and build up.

There is a learning curve, but it is easier then removing things.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...tion/MinimalCD

[snowpine]

Hi Steve,

You can remove any applications you don't use with the Software Center (or the Synaptic Package Manager, terminal commands, etc.) You can also install Ubuntu from scratch, choosing only the packages you want, by using the Minimal Install CD:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...tion/MinimalCD
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/minimal

I have to disagree with your characterization of Ubuntu as "bloated." The full Ubuntu install (including the operating system, office suite, media players, games, etc.) fits on a single CD and occupies less than 0.4% of a typical 1TB hard drive.

[DaGarver]

This guide will help you set up a Lucid minimal install. It really doesn't take that much work, from what I can see.

[philinux]

Lucid minimal install, then install lxde.

Or peppermint. http://peppermintos.com/

[Bachstelze]

Just wanted to say that while a "cli" install from a Minimal or Alternate CD is probably what you want, you can go even smaller if needed by using debootstrap, with an installation process similar to Gentoo (minus the compiling).

[stevepoppers]

Ok, I found this thread by finally googling the right thing and finding a lifehacker article. Can the same thing be done with a server disk? I have a few laying around.

What do you test all these different distros on? I don't want to have to trash my working desktop every time I hear about some cool new one or something. Spare computers, possibly with multiple partitions? Or maybe most of you have much better resources than I.

Oh, and as for it being "bloated", it's definitely not like Windows, but it's still more than I need/want. So, for me, yes, it is kinda bloated. I just hate the extra junk. I'm really excited to be able to install this way now.

[philinux]

Ok, I found this thread by finally googling the right thing and finding a lifehacker article. Can the same thing be done with a server disk? I have a few laying around.

What do you test all these different distros on? I don't want to have to trash my working desktop every time I hear about some cool new one or something. Spare computers, possibly with multiple partitions? Or maybe most of you have much better resources than I.

Oh, and as for it being "bloated", it's definitely not like Windows, but it's still more than I need/want. So, for me, yes, it is kinda bloated. I just hate the extra junk. I'm really excited to be able to install this way now.

Virtualbox. http://www.virtualbox.org/

[Chesamo]

What you're asking for is the type of thing I work on.

http://ubuntu-minimal-desktop.blogspot.com/

It takes the command-line installation and builds up, only giving you what you ask for and a few needed utilities.

[stevepoppers]

Virtualbox. http://www.virtualbox.org/

Please tell me it works better than the live cd. That's about all I need to know, lol.