New Ubuntu Machine

Use the Alternate 6.06 disk. I suppose it's time to start using 8.04 but I've had good luck with 6.06, I know the packet features work, and best of all, it's still supported.

Install the "server" option. The goal here is a basic packet machine not a web browser. That's another posting.

Pick defaults everything for the install. Let it choose the partitions. I recently started with a 1 GB compact flash memory card and even after updating I have 400 MB free.

I have one standard user name on all my systems. That's the one I give at install time.

Once the install is complete and it's booted off the disk partition, then update the install to the latest and greatest -- assuming Internet connectivity is working.

# modify the install sources and remove the CD-ROM entry. We used the CD for the install and that's the end of it.
sudo EDIT /etc/apt/sources.list

# Now update the catalog
sudo apt-get update

# Use the updated catalog to get the latest software
sudo apt-get upgrade

While sudo works great, it's nice to have real ROOT user access. This is enabled in Ubuntu simply by assigning the password.

# become root
sudo su -

# set the root password
passwd
# enter the new password twice. Don't for get it.

One of the core tools needed is ssh. Install it now.
sudo apt-get install ssh

# other useful tools
sudo apt-get install curl