Installing a GUI for Ubuntu Server

If you need to have, or wish to install a GUI for the Ubuntu server here are the packages required for a visual desktop.

• xorg – X window system
• gnome-core – GNOME Desktop environment
• gdm – is the GNOME Display Manager, a graphical login program.
• gnome-applets – is a collection of many applets for your GNOME panel.
• gnome-system-tools - is a set of configuration programs for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems
• gnome-utils – GNOME Utilities for the GNOME Desktop contains the following http://live.gnome.org/GnomeUtils
• ubuntu-artwork – This package contains merely the Distributor Logo and pulls in all the
  other components via Depends.
• compiz-gnome – OpenGL window and compositing manager - GNOME window decorator
• sysv-rc-conf - gives an easy to use interface for managing /etc/rc{runlevel}.d/ symlinks.
• fast-user-switch-applet

- sudo apt-get install xorg gnome-core gdm gnome-applets gnome-system-tools gnome-utils ubuntu-artwork compiz-gnome firefox sysv-rc-conf

- sudo apt-get install fast-user-switch-applet

The gdm (desktop) will start automatically when the server starts. For an even leaner setup, to start the gdm, open a terminal and run:

- sudo sysv-rc-conf

Look for “gdm” in the list and then uncheck (using the space bar) the X under column (runlevels) 2 and 3. Now the GUI will only start if you run:

- startx

Have fun.

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