A Minimal Ubuntu Install

Hand-held device, netbooks, and mini-computers are the rage these days. There is great interest in running toned down operating systems on platforms that have limited processing power and memory. These platforms work well running any variation of Linux, as users can customize the OS for there needs.

If you want to run a toned down version of Ubuntu on one of these appliances, or if you are interested in bringing an old PC back to life, then there several methods to use to create a slimmed down operating system

One method mentioned on the Ubuntu Forums by TheShiv starts with a minimal install of Ubuntu or a server install. He then runs a script to install only the essential application he needs. Here is an example script extracted from his thread on the Ubuntu Tips and Tricks forum:

#!/bin/bash

#######################################################################

# Ubuntu-Desktop-Minimal: Post-install script to install only the bare

# essentials of an Ubuntu Desktop.

#######################################################################

echo "[*] Installing Gnome Essentials"

sudo apt-get -y install gnome-core gdm network-manager-gnome fast-user-switch-applet \

human-theme x11-xserver-utils tangerine-icon-theme gnome-themes-ubuntu ubuntu-artwork \

jockey-gtk gnome-screensaver gnome-utils

echo "[*] Installing Application Essentials"

sudo apt-get install -y gcalctool tsclient

Note there there a basically two commands tucked in the script. You can whatever packages you wish, such as:

Epiphany-browser : Lighter equivalent to firefox.

vlc;vlc-plugin-* : For media etc.

openoffice.org-writer : Office Writer

openoffice.org-calc : Office Spreadsheet

openoffice.org-impress : Office Presentation

Now, you can start with a full install of Ubuntu, and back track you way to minimally built system. To me it would seem easier to start with the basics and build from the ground up.

Playing Evony with Ubuntu

Evony is an online strategy game that loosely based on the Middle Ages. You play the role of a Lord overseeing your lands, defending your cities from attack. You also get the chance to attack others to gain resources and wealth, or you can settle in and try to build up your cities. It is kind of a combination of Sim City and World of Warcraft.

Recently, Evony adds have been popping up all over the internet, especially with Google's Adsense program. They also seem to be running a campaign on DoubleClick. Anyway, since I saw the ads, I decided to give the game a whirl. I tried it using both Windows XP, and my Linux PC with generally the same results.

The game starts fine, but then after a while performance begins to suffer. There appears to be a slow memory leak in the Flash media program that Evony uses. Simply refreshing your browser corrects the problem. I have found that you can play a little longer between refreshes using Google's Chrome browser on Windows XP. For Ubuntu, your best bet is to use Epiphany. It is probably because these browsers have a lower memory foot print over the browser bigboys.

The game uses Flash media as part of its engine, so you will need to be certain of have Flash installed on your Linux PC.