When is minimal not minimal

[elija]

When it's Ubuntu!

All I wanted was a base Linux System with the Ubuntu repos available, so I downloaded their minimal CD and went through the install process.

I think I am going to build this one using the Debian net install as a minimal Ubuntu system includes loads of unnecessary Gnome libraries and applications which I specifically didn't want and definitely didn't ask for!

I think Ubuntu is great and use it on my main desktop but for my requirements this time it just doesn't fit.

Not really bashing it but be aware that minimal isn't always what you may think

[D-cat]

By "minimal" did you mean the Server or the Alternate?

Both have their quirks. Alternate is just a minimal installer, but it installs the full desktop. Server only installs the cli, but it also uses a server optimized kernel that may refuse to boot on older machines.

Have you taken a look at CrunchBang (#!) Linux? It's an Ubuntu derivative designed for light weight by using OpenBox as the window manager. "While CrunchBang Linux is not primarily designed for old systems, it has been reported to operate very well where system resources are limited."

CrunchBang Linux - A nimble Openbox Linux distro

[elija]

I meant Minimal - it's kind of like the Debian net install. I use Crunchbang on one of my laptops. It's a great little re-spin. In this case I want a base system with only build-essential, vim and links installed. No need for any more as I don't think the K&R book needs it

Therefore no need for Gnome libs or apps which hardly makes it minimal to my mind. I went for a Debian net install in the end.

[edit]
My eepc now boots to a command line in seconds which allows me to fail at C more quickly and efficiently
[/edit]

[Jonathan183]

Did you check the cli, cli-expert, and expert boot methods with the minimal CD?

[elija]

Did you check the cli, cli-expert, and expert boot methods with the minimal CD?

To be honest - no. But shouldn't something called minimal by default be.... well minimal? Anything else kind of defeats the point.

Trying cli in a VM but damn it's slow installing!

[edit]
In fairness - it sped up a bit. Went from 6% to 90% within a minute
[/edit]

[edit 2]
cli seems to avoid the gnome libs but I'm sticking with the Debian
[edit]

[Jonathan183]

But shouldn't something called minimal by default be.... well minimal? Anything else kind of defeats the point.

minimal download size & minimal resource to run is probably true ... minimum number of packages installed using default settings - is probably reading more into the title than was intended.

[elija]

Well it certainly fulfils those criteria

[darkrose0510]

My eepc now boots to a command line in seconds which allows me to fail at C more quickly and efficiently

Haha, love it.

[D-cat]

"Open Mouth, Insert foot"

My bad for assuming you were looking for a minimal desktop instead of true minimalist cli. Sowwy. Sounds then like you hit the nail center on the head. Let us know what actually works out for you.

[carlosponti]

every now and again i play with the Alt. CD from ubuntu that has a CLI install that installs a ubuntu desktop CLI only. its fun to see how small i can get a working install going.