Mini-Lubuntu - Part 2

Hi,

30/3/2013, I have written about the Mini Version of Lubuntu here.

I have sent this Email to Lubuntu Mailing List:

---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Ali Linx (amjjawad) <amjjawad@gmail.com>Date: Sun, Jun 2, 2013 at 9:54 PMSubject: [Suggestion] Having another version for Lubuntu (Mini Lubuntu)To: lubuntu user list <lubuntu-users@lists.ubuntu.com>, "lubuntu-qa@lists.launchpad.net" <lubuntu-qa@lists.launchpad.net>

Hi,
This is just a suggestion so don't shoot the messenger :)
I'm aware that Lubuntu has already so many ISOs, more than any other Ubuntu Flavor: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu/Testing/Why_So_Many_ISOs
I understand what I'm suggesting here can be easily done: http://amjjawad.blogspot.com/2013/03/mini-lubuntu-mlubuntu.html
For the minimal desktop installation use:sudo -iapt-get install --no-install-recommends lubuntu-desktopapt-get dist-upgradeapt-get autocleanrm /var/cache/apt/archives/*.debreboot
However, what I'm suggesting here is:To have that option ready for those who seek such setup.
I have sent about this in 30-March-2013 but someone was mad because the timing was bad :DNow, since we are still at the Alpha1 stage, I hope my suggestion comes in a good time :)
HOW HARD is it to have this as a new ISO where someone can download and install?MUCH less stuff to look after and much less ISO Size, etc.
My suggestion is inspired from: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" 
I know that Lance loves this setup. I would love to have it too. I know for sure that both myself and Lance are very much capable of doing that ourselves and we do not need a new ISO/Spin/Version/Whatever you call it for that. But, I always keep other beginners users in mind who may find this a bit hard to achieve manually and they do need that badly for their very old machine.
We also can remove the Artwork Stuff and go very, really very basic. This version will be much lighter than the standard Lubuntu.
No, not yet. I have not done it yet. I will if some people are interested in this idea. I mean, I can install the Ubuntu Mini and then install Lubuntu Core or Minimum Desktop. 
Oh, I forgot, I actually done it already before: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1590614&page=16&p=11832431#post11832431
Thanks!
--Best Regards,amjjawadStart Ubuntu
Test Machine: ASUS F3F Laptop - Intel Core Duo T2350 @ 1.86GHz with 489MB RAM

 I have promised to do a test so I have done it on an Oracle VM version 4.2.12:

1- I have installed Ubuntu 13.04 Mini ISO from here.

2- MD5SUM Checked.

3- I copied the ISO to an USB Drive

4- Added a Virtual CD Drive to my Virtual Machine and point to the ISO so that the VM can boot from that Virtual Drive as a LiveCD - Thanks a lot to Jonathan Marsden who explained to me how to do that.

5- Installed the Mini ISO and everything went smoothly, except of course it takes longer time to install.

6- Before the end of the installation process, in order to achieve Lubuntu Minimum Installation or Lubuntu Core installation, I had to do this:

a- Space to Select "Lubuntu Minimal Installation" - See this.
b- Tab
c- Enter to "Continue"

7- After that, this is what I got:

8- RAM Usage as per GNOME System Monitor:

And both "top" and "free" show:

I'm so sorry, don't have much time right now to find a way to clear the cache and buffers?!

By the way, there is no Browser at all. As long as there is a terminal, you can install whatever you like.

So, that is all about my test so far.

What I suggested in my email is to have this as an out-of-the-box option for our users.

This can be done either by:

• Having a new ISO
• Having an option/a slide on the installer where the user can select what exactly to install (either the full system or the core system for Lubuntu)
• Mention clearly in our Wiki Area how to do that GUI wise.

I still think this is a helpful option to have and I'm sure they are some users who will like this option. 

I may agree with others about the extra work this will add, no doubt about it. However, I think, IMHO, it is worthy to try it.

I'm ready to collect more data (poll/surveys) asking our users whether they prefer this extra option or not?

I see no harm except the extra work. I'm not a developer so not sure how hard that would be? and I guess the best way is to have this as an option which the user can choose during the installation.

Thanks!