If you install the default "ubuntu-desktop" you also get with it a gigabyte of crap that you will never use. But if you don't install the ubuntu desktop, you get a system with a text-only login: prompt, and it's not clear what to install to get it to a usable state.

I have an irrational need to optimize my Ubuntu installation. I did some investigating and came up with this method, which gives a minimal graphical 1.2 GB install, with gnome, networking, and no applications.

Install the base system

Use UNetBootin and create a usb key with the network install. (If you are still burning non-archival data-DVD's in the year 2010, you must also live in a cave.). Plug the computer directly into the network using an ethernet cable. Boot from the USB key and install ubuntu as usual, over the network. Using the network-install means you aren't even downloading the packages you aren't going to use. It also means you don't have to immediately update your system and re-download everything, because the network packages are already up to date.

When you get to the "task selection" screen with the option to install ubuntu base server, kubuntu, etc, do not change anything at all.

Install the minmal gnome

When installation completes and it boots up, you get a text-only system. Login and type the following command:

sudo apt-get install gnome-panel gdm gnome-terminal

This will install a graphical environment and the login screen, so it will let you login by clicking on your username.

When it completes, reboot using "sudo reboot", or if you are super-geeky, type in the secret command to avoid rebooting.

Wireless Networking for laptops

If you have a laptop, you will probably want:

sudo apt-get install network-manager network-manager-gnome gnome-power-manager hibernate

That will give you a battery monitor and the icon that lets you configure wireless networking. It also gives you the hibernate button when you shut down.

Where's my browser?

sudo apt-get install chromium-browser flashplugin-installer

Make it look good

Gnome's default theme looks like something from the year 2000. Get some of the Ubuntu 10 goodness by doing this:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-artwork

All together now

As promised, here is the one command that combines all of the above.

sudo apt-get install gnome-panel gdm gnome-terminal network-manager-gnome network-manager gnome-power-manager hibernate chromium-browser ubuntu-artwork flashplugin-installer