[PLUG] A minimalist oriented Debian derivative?

[Richard Owlett]

On 06/29/2020 09:37 AM, David Bridges wrote:
> There is a difference between the installer and installing packages on
> an installed system.

That is the *CRUX* of the situation. I already have absolute control 
over adding new packages to an existing system.

I want that level of control during *INITIAL* system install.

> 
> It looks like you can change the behavior.  Checking the apt
> configuration on a fairly new install of mine I see that recommended
> packages is enabled.
> 
> root at jekyll:~# apt-config dump | grep Recommends
> APT::Install-Recommends "1";
> 
> It looks like you can override that behavior but creating a new file
> in /etc/apt/apt.conf.d with something like the following.
> 
> APT::Install-Recommends "0";
> 
> Might help, might not.
> 
> --
> David
> 
> 
> On Mon, 2020-06-29 at 09:14 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
>> On 06/29/2020 08:40 AM, David Bridges wrote:
>>> Not a derivative suggestion but maybe this will help.
>>>
>>> When you start the installer if you choose the Expert installation
>>> (I
>>> believe under advanced section) or if you press the Escape key and
>>> type
>>> expert at the boot prompt you can get a very minimal system
>>> installed
>>> although there will be a few more questions that you have to answer
>>> along the way.
>>>
>>> The trick is when you get to the package selection screen to
>>> uncheck
>>> everything except for Standard System which will give you only a
>>> basic
>>> system with no gui.
>>>
>>
>>
>> A very fine workaround. Been doing that for years for different
>> problems
>> <GRIN>
>>
>> My current problem is the official Debian installer is effectively
>> broken. It forces you to accept packages which the repository tags
>> as
>> "recommended". The problem is those packages prevent *ME* from using
>> *MY* system for *MY* intended purposes and workflow <*GRUMBLE*>
>>
>> So I'm looking for what *I* consider a *WORKING* installer ;/
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Sun, 2020-06-28 at 08:45 -0500, Richard Owlett wrote:
>>>> I like Debian very much.
>>>> However its default installer coerces an undesirable collection
>>>> of
>>>> "must
>>>> have" applications.
>>>>
>>>> I want a MATE desktop with a very sparse selection of apps
>>>> installed
>>>> by
>>>> default. I've discovered that the installer is designed *NOT TO*
>>>> implement an equivalent of apt-get's "no-install-recommends".
>>>>
>>>> I want a system that allows the use of the standard Debian
>>>> repository
>>>> but whose installer does not forcibly coerce the installation of
>>>> undesired apps.
>>>>
>>>> Suggestions?
>>>>
>>>> TIA
>>>>