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I have just installed Ubuntu 11.10 Server, but I need a GUI and ability to run programs like web browser. It doesn't have to be pretty. I have checked gnome and kdefull - those require like 1300 and 1450 MB. Quite too much (and I have a slow connection, so it will take a while). There's also gnome-core - 800 MB. Is it usable, is it even a desktop? Are there any other minimalistic desktop packages (Gnome, KDE or whatever)?

P. S. I don't care about size to download too much, what I really care about is RAM consumption.

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possible duplicate of How to install one GUI program on Ubuntu Server? –  Bruno Pereira Nov 30 '11 at 22:15
Check the question above, the request there is very similar to what you need, it might fit, if not you can always drop a comment on the other question. –  Bruno Pereira Nov 30 '11 at 22:16
You can try fluxbox (about 15Mb to download) –  Salem Nov 30 '11 at 22:20
@BrunoPereira: How is it a duplicate? I know how to install, I'm asking recommendations on what to install! –  Violet Giraffe Dec 1 '11 at 6:11
@VioletGiraffe Well the title is not but all the content of the other question is the same as you have: other user wants to install RubyMine you want a web-browser, other user uses server, you use server, both want to install as minimum packages as possible in they system to be able to run a GUI program. Even the answer is similar! Cmon, no? No similarities? Nothing at all? –  Bruno Pereira Dec 1 '11 at 9:06
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3 Answers

up vote 5 down vote accepted

Bare minimal LXDE. It uses openbox as window-manager but panel, menus,file-managers are all-set

sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends lxde-core

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Thanks! That's the one Mint is using? I like Mint's appearance :) –  Violet Giraffe Dec 1 '11 at 6:24
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Openbox by itself with tint2 isn't bad for light systems and virtual machines. See Ubuntu community wiki page here for installation instructions.

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Install xorg and some minimal window manager like twm. If you think twm is a bit too minimalistic or ugly have a look at http://xwinman.org/ - most of the window managers there are available under Ubuntu.

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