Install Cinnamon and only cinnamon (or... how to create my own distro?)

[dietervansteenw]

I've posted this question on AskUbuntu but was sort of nicely told to go elsewhere. One useful reply was to consider the Ubuntu Cinnamon Remix, but I'm not sure if I can expect the same frequency of updates.

If the answer would be that I should look in to sort-of compiling my own distro then I'm willing to look in to that.

I'm trying to install a system to my new laptop where I have not too many unused packages installed. An unused DE seems like a lot of wasted space and possibly potential for issues.

What I'd like to accomplish is a system based on ubuntu so that I have (for instance) apt that I know and regular updates (as well as a wide community to search answers in when having issues), but with the Cinnamon DE and SDDM.

I want to avoid installing something like Xubuntu to have a lean system, installing cinnamon and then uninstalling xfce. This seems like a recipe for trouble and just not a correct way.

Should I install Ubuntu server and then manually install Cinnamon? Anything I should pay attention to?

If this

[tea for one]

Are you familiar with Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition?
https://linuxmint.com/download.php

[dietervansteenw]

Are you familiar with Linux Mint Cinnamon Edition?
https://linuxmint.com/download.php

Yes, I had been made aware of that option. Although I think I am fairly okay-ish with using Linux, I still need to search how to do things (or fix things after I've tried said things). I've always used *buntu kind of distros (or Debian on one type of machines) so I figured it would be best to stay with that for now. I know Mint has a good name but felt that I shouldn't make things harder for myself at the moment and get better at what I'm working with first. Maybe that's a stupid idea...

Actually, I've been thinking of creating my own system based on Yocto for some embedded projects I'm working on. While that would be a lot of trial and error it would probably be rather helpful in understanding what makes a Linux system run and how thing fit together.

Maybe I'll just install Mint Cinnamon Edition on a separate machine or in a VM, which would help me understand what it means to run another distro (Mint instead of Ubuntu) and see what the differences are.

[ajgreeny]

I do not know from where the Ubuntu-Cinnamon remix gets its packages for the cinnamon DE but I assume it is upstream updates that it uses and everything else would, I think, be from the same Ubuntu repos as every other Ubuntu based distro.

What makes you think that updates will be less frequent if you use the remix?

[coffeecat]

Welcome to the forum.

I don't think you were told to go elsewhere, rather that your question was off-topic for AskUbuntu. Similarly, it is off-topic for where you posted here - Desktop Environments - which is in one of the Ubuntu and official Ubuntu flavours only sections. That being said, we pride ourselves on being a little less restrictive here and I've moved your question to Ubuntu, Linux & OS Chat

If I was in your position and particularly wanted to use the Cinnamon desktop I would want to avoid the hassle and heartache of building my own system and go the easier route of installing either Ubuntu Cinnamon Remix or Linux Mint edition, both mentioned in your AskUbuntu link. But others may have other views and will be able to offer constructive ideas.

If you do install either of those two distros, please bear in mind that the first two main sections of this forum are reserved for Ubuntu and the official flavours of Ubuntu only, and that does not include those two. We do have sub-fora for various other distros, but please note this part of the tagline for that section:

Please be aware this is not the best place to receive tech support for these OSs/Distros and users should look for official support channels for those systems.

Good luck.

[dietervansteenw]

Welcome to the forum.

I don't think you were told to go elsewhere, rather that your question was off-topic for AskUbuntu. Similarly, it is off-topic for where you posted here - Desktop Environments - which is in one of the Ubuntu and official Ubuntu flavours only sections. That being said, we pride ourselves on being a little less restrictive here and I've moved your question to Ubuntu, Linux & OS Chat

I might not always be completely clear in translating my sentiments and questions into words- but I do try.
As far as I understand, being told that my question is off-topic somewhere amounts to politely asking me to go elsewhere. Which I understand if that is the policy. Anyhow, I am glad there are less restrictive places as well . Thanks for moving the question.

Still, I don't really think I understand (see also my last reply regarding not really understanding what defines a "distro".).

* If I take Ubuntu Server and then install a DE myself, is this no longer considered Ubuntu?
* If I take Ubuntu and switch to LXDE (or any other), is that still considered Ubuntu?
* If I take Ubuntu and remove half the packages that come as part of the default DE, is that still Ubuntu?

Maybe I'm trying too hard to draw a hard line on the definition of what a distro is, that's possible as well.

[monkeybrain20122]

* If I take Ubuntu Server and then install a DE myself, is this no longer considered Ubuntu?
* If I take Ubuntu and switch to LXDE (or any other), is that still considered Ubuntu?
* If I take Ubuntu and remove half the packages that come as part of the default DE, is that still Ubuntu?

What do you care if you just install on your own laptop (rather than distributing it when licensing issues come into play)? Functionally it is Ubuntu and you get the updates upstream so whatever you call it it is Ubuntu.

As for not installing unneeded packages, there is a "minimal install" option in Ubuntu's installer but it includes the DE. Its "mini iso" is a different thing, it just means the installer downloads everything online during installation instead of baking them into the iso, so while the installation medium is small the resulting installation is normal size.

in Debian the installer allows you to install a subset of packages and choose a DE, and Arch only has the bare minimum after installation and you have to manually install a DE and most packages yourself after installation, you can practically choose any DE during (Debian) or after (Arch) installation, so if you are comfortable venturing out of Ubuntu land you can try either (Debian tends to be old, debian testing is more up to date, Arch is bleeding edge, debian is of course more familiar for those coming from Ubuntu), but neither is as convenient as Ubuntu and have as good out of the box hardware support.

[guiverc]

Debian tends to be old, debian testing is more up to date

Now maybe a good time to try Debian; Debian Bullseye is only ~27 hours from it's release so it's packages are somewhat similar in many areas with my Ubuntu impish.

(Debian testing is now bookworm with no packages changed other than release name as of last night my local time; AEST)

[dietervansteenw]

All, thank you very much for some very informative and helpful replies. I'll still need time to either

• fully grasp what makes a distro a distro
• or let go of the idea that I really want to understand and stop nitpicking

As a result of the last reply from Guiverc, I found this page which helps me a bit better understand what defines a distribution. Apparently it is also things such as the installer, policies, the people behind it, ... Not just the end result (the ISO).

[sudodus]

Should I install Ubuntu server and then manually install Cinnamon? Anything I should pay attention to?

I think the advice in the previous answers are relevant and good. Here is my direct answer to your question: It should work well to install Ubuntu server and then manually install Cinnamon with apt (I checked and it is available from Ubuntu's repository universe).