simplify-ubuntu - Project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.* LTS installations.

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Termy
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simplify-ubuntu - Project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.* LTS installations.

Post by Termy »

https://github.com/terminalforlife/simplify-ubuntu

Just something I started recently. Although this is the Mint board, there's a good chance this program will be handy with a Mint setup and other setups based on Ubuntu; I've not yet tested it, however, so I couldn't say for sure. I thought it might be something y'all would want to try out.

Let me know if you have any ideas for packages (or files linked thereto) which you feel should be up to the user whether they have or not, even if it's Mint-specific. At a later date, I will likely focus on support for Mint (if people want it), despite it not quite matching up with the Mint paradigm (most things being there, just in-case), but hey this is Linux; the land of choice! :P

At the moment, just so it's clear, this is a work in progress I've not yet had the chance to fully test, so please keep that in mind.

EDIT:

This now works swimmingly and has been greatly updated! Here's a quick couple of lines to run one-after-the-other to download and install simplify-ubuntu with insit (software manager for many programs I've written and put on GitHub):

Code: Select all

wget -q https://github.com/terminalforlife/installit/raw/master/insit && sudo bash insit -S
sudo insit simplify-ubuntu
Stay updated with sudo insit -U simplify-ubuntu, or check out the latest (probably unstable) changes by installing straight from the dev branch: sudo insit -B dev -U simplify-ubuntu
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 9 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
I'm also Terminalforlife on GitHub.
jwrober

Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by jwrober »

This is an interesting concept. It assumes the person put a desktop edition on the box I guess. What I find interesting is how you determine what to remove by looking for an executable. However, there is to dependency tracking going on. One that jumps out at me is the prompt for GIMP. If a person installed an app that has a dep on GIMP (for example gscan2pdf) then they would accidentally break the app. So one improvement would be to do some dep checks before remove and error out.

Some of the questions lead me to think that what you really want is more of a "server" like configuration with a basic GUI. The prompts to remove wireless, bluetooth, scanning, printing, fonts, libreoffice, braille, transmission, pidgin, etc. are what get me thinking this way. Not sure what the difference is between the desktop and server ISO's for Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS. You "could" add a option for "server" that pre-selects a number of the options. LM is supposed to be a fully supported desktop that "can" be a server is one wants to. There are some things in the script that are good for a laptop vs a desktop. An example is a desktop is not going to need touchpad support by default. So another improvement could be having command line options for laptop and desktop that pre-selects some things making it more automated.

Thanks for the work. Looks interesting.
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Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by Flemur »

That's a great idea, but there's always some trade-off between getting too much stuff and hassling with set-ups.

I've found that it's a lot easier to start with something like Mint or Ubuntu and remove stuff, rather than start with a minimal Arch or Debian installation and add stuff.

I'm always deleting and shrinking stuff - here's what I get at boot to an active graphical fluxbox GUI (better than any "light" distro I've tried):

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$ free -m
              total        used        free      shared  buff/cache   available
Mem:           3944         104        3612           6         227        3607
Swap:          1999           0        1999
$
$ systemd-analyze 
Startup finished in 5.083s (kernel) + 1.718s (userspace) = 6.802s
Not bad for a low-end, 8-year old computer. (SSD replaced HD).
Please edit your original post title to include [SOLVED] if/when it is solved!
Your data and OS are backed up....right?
Sir Charles

Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by Sir Charles »

Hi Termy!

Manjaro guy is back! They have put in a place a method that simplifies the installation called Manjaro-Architect ISO that does pretty much what you are trying to do here for Ubuntu:
Compared to traditional unpack-installation with a graphical installer like Calamares this has some apparent advantages:

The install media can be very small. In this case the download is less than 500MB. Also since no video-drivers are needed for the text-only environment it is unlikely that you will run into problems booting the M-A ISO.
The packages installed to the resulting target will be the latest available on the chosen branch and no matter how old your install media might be, you will not need to update the fresh install.
Like that the manjaro-architect ISO will basically never be outdated. Even the installer itself will be updated automatically when you start the launcher.
The same install media can be used to install any desktop environment - even those DEs and WMs not maintained as an edition by Manjaro.
Options for customization are basically unlimited. You are free to choose your kernel(s), drivers, desktop environment (or none) and any other packages and you will have many more and very detailed ways of configuring the target install to your liking.
At the same time, if you prefer, you can use mhwd’s automatic driver installation and access the pre-configured iso-profiles of Manjaro’s supported editions to install an environment of identical configuration with what you would get by unsquashing one of our ISOs.

from: https://forum.manjaro.org/t/installatio ... -iso/20429
So, it's perfectly feasible and I believe many people would appreciate it.
Wish you all the luck with your project.
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Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by Termy »

Thanks for the feedback, y'all. Nice to see a post from you again, Marziano. :) I've not looked into Manjaro again, by the way, but I believe I did download the latest ISO. I'm unable to get into VirtualBox VMs until they fix a bug with kernel 4.13.0-26-generic. :(

Remember, simplify-ubuntu is a work in progress. :) Just getting the core stuff done, and once that's finished or I'm happy with it, I'll start fleshing it out. The reason for the warnings dotted around the project is that things can somewhat break, for just the reason that someone mentioned (getting tripped up over dependencies), so in a way I've covered that. I'll do what I can to mitigate those issues later on, though.

As for Mint, I know it's one of those distros that like to have everything, but I don't see why a user shouldn't have the option to go a different route, per the Linux spirit, but still keep what they love about Mint, such as the ease to configure the visuals.

As it is though, it's pretty useful. Hope some people will find a use out of it as well.
That's a great idea, but there's always some trade-off between getting too much stuff and hassling with set-ups.
I get you, but it's not an issue with me. I prefer to go the extra mile to get a setup I like, and have been doing that a lot. Once it's all down and you know what you're doing, it doesn't take long to get it up and running again. GitHub helps, too. :D
What I find interesting is how you determine what to remove by looking for an executable. However, there is to dependency tracking going on.
Did you mean there is no dependency tracking going on? I've checked for actual dependencies (for the shell program itself) at the very start, as per the usual for all of my stuff. The check for executables is just a way to see if it's there. I should probably add a note somewhere that this isn't for those who compile.

It doesn't determine what to remove, by the by, so much as determine what is an option to remove. When you install GIMP in Ubuntu, for example, you're going to get the executable /usr/bin/gimp, so it's a good way to check for things.
I've found that it's a lot easier to start with something like Mint or Ubuntu and remove stuff, rather than start with a minimal Arch or Debian installation and add stuff.
That's my approach, too. I used to use the mini.iso (Ubuntu), start with the CLI, without even man installed, then work my way up. (not a fan of rolling distrubutions, so Arch isn't for me) In the end, I found it easier to just, as you said, start with a standard Ubuntu installation, then strip it down. It's something I've done a bazillion times, so I thought maybe I could turn that process (or part thereof) into something useful for others. Here's hoping.
I'm also Terminalforlife on GitHub.
Sir Charles

Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by Sir Charles »

Termy wrote: As for Mint, I know it's one of those distros that like to have everything, but I don't see why a user shouldn't have the option to go a different route, per the Linux spirit...
That's a very nice outlook!

PS. sorry about that kernel bug :|
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Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by Flemur »

jwrober wrote:If a person installed an app that has a dep on GIMP (for example gscan2pdf)
My system doesn't think gscan2pdf depends on gimp.
Please edit your original post title to include [SOLVED] if/when it is solved!
Your data and OS are backed up....right?
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Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by Termy »

Flemur wrote:
jwrober wrote:If a person installed an app that has a dep on GIMP (for example gscan2pdf)
My system doesn't think gscan2pdf depends on gimp.
Oh yeah, I forgot about this. I just checked and I don't have it installed, yet I have GIMP, so I'm guessing it was a mistake, or it's different for some reason in Mint.
I'm also Terminalforlife on GitHub.
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Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by Termy »

Okay, I've spent some time today on supporting Mint, somewhat. Thanks to kernel 4.4.0-109-generic, I'm able to load up VirtualBox, so I've been testing simplify-ubuntu. It works on Linux Mint 18.3 with the Cinnamon desktop environment. I've added quite a bit. Is quite useful, even if I do say so myself. xD So I can happily say you're welcome to use it on your Mint installations, just, as always, be careful and mindful.

if you installed it via insit, be sure to run: sudo insit -U simplify-ubuntu to get the updates.
I'm also Terminalforlife on GitHub.
sammiev

Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by sammiev »

Very interesting, was just looking at the code.

May take this for a flip after the weekend is over. :D
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Re: simplify-ubuntu - Small project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS installations.

Post by Termy »

That would be awesome. Let me know how you get on with it, please. No doubt by the time you get on it, I'll have updated it lots more. :)
I'm also Terminalforlife on GitHub.
ud6

Re: simplify-ubuntu - Project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.* LTS installations.

Post by ud6 »

Termy wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:34 am https://github.com/terminalforlife/simplify-ubuntu

Let me know if you have any ideas for packages (or files linked thereto) which you feel should be up to the user whether they have or not, even if it's Mint-specific. At a later date, I will likely focus on support for Mint (if people want it), despite it not quite matching up with the Mint paradigm (most things being there, just in-case), but hey this is Linux; the land of choice! :P
I guess I have two desired modes of linux mint install:
(1) bloaty: using default mint mate and adding additional packages I want (WPS, diff music players, Kdenlive etc). I don't remove anything cos I don't care about space and indeed nice to have duplicated functioning incase eg problem with word processor
(2) minimal mint: for speed/size or live USB use

Your purpose ties in to (2) for me. I've tried puppylinux, mintpup and fatdog etc but wasn't impressed. What's needed is the exact same set up and experience I have (even same icons) as my regular desktop, but slimmed down.
Thus for me what would be good is to either have absolutely bare bones (no real software except maintenance eg software manager and gparted). Also, ideally would be good to have options prior to ISO creation i.e. a choice of same desktops as currently available in mint, then tick, boxes such as: do you want bluetooth? Do you want abi office or libre office or none? Do you want rythmbox? So basically you have to positively select what you want. ALSO the installation creates a persistent USB.

The benefit of this is you can get your minimal system USB, change the icons, wallpaper, etc and then this is your base system which you can reinstall (or use for repairs of desktop system) and it has the same menus etc as your desktop so user friendly and familiar, but not all the software.

Obviously once installed to desktop, then you add whatever bloat you want.

In addition, the website could have a code to indicate your choices e.g. AGI381 which would indicate what was installed for the base, so your friend could get same version.

I'm not much of a computer specialist, so maybe this too difficult esp to maintain.. but would be great for user diversity.
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Re: simplify-ubuntu - Project to lighten standard Ubuntu 16.04.* LTS installations.

Post by BeyondLies_MintForum »

Just now I watched one of the videos on this project and I really like what the script does. Indeed, I've done a lot of what it does myself, manually. Nevertheless, I am wary of running the script on the current (19.3) version of Mint, because it is based on Ubuntu 18.04.03 (rather than on 16.04).

Also, while it is great that you - I am addressing the author - supply a .deb for the script, it's a shame, perhaps, that the .deb doesn't pull in the library it needs.
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