Which installation images allow the installation of a command-line system?

Question

I would like to set up a minimal command-line system as a starting point for a custom desktop, as outlined in Installation/LowMemorySystems guide. What exact choice of the installation image do I have here?

I am going with the latest LTS, which, at time of this writing, is 14.04 LTS.

I am aware of two:

'netinst' Minimal CD (mini.iso)
Lubuntu Alternate (the Alternate ISO page itself links to the latest non-LTS releases)

What makes me think of other options is the phrasing in the Installation/LowMemorySystems guide:

To install a base system, boot from any Alternate CD and choose "Install a command-line system." It is exactly the same command-line system on Lubuntu Alternate CDs.

The words 'any' Alternate CD and 'exactly the same' ... 'on Lubuntu' suggest that there are other Alternate CD's, but I cannot find them.

There's another non-obvious choice of these installation images: for 14.04, you can choose either mini.iso netinst image from either trusty or trusty-updates directory. This would correspond to installing the 14.04.1 and 14.04.2 releases, respectively. — Nickolai Leschov, Apr 30 '15 at 16:14
The important difference being: when installing from the 14.04.2 as opposed to installing the .0 or .1 and updating, one gets the newer 3.16 kernel and an updated version of the Xorg display server; when updating, we stay on 3.13 and older xorg unless we opt in. The corresponding installer for Lubuntu Alternate is the non-existent 14.04.2 (that's another question). I'll add this info with the links when I'll find them. — Nickolai Leschov, Apr 30 '15 at 16:14

kos · Answer 1 · 2015-04-30T17:11:23.553

To install a base system, boot from any Alternate CD and choose "Install a command-line system." It is exactly the same command-line system on Lubuntu Alternate CDs.

I read it like this: "It is exactly the same command-line system across all Lubuntu alternate CDs".

(mind the plural in "CDs")

With "any Alternate CD" is referring to any of the Lubuntu Alternate CDs.

If there were multiple "other" Alternate CDs and only one Lubuntu Alternate CD it would have been: "To install a base system, boot from any Alternate CD and choose "Install a command-line system." It is exactly the same command-line system on Lubuntu Alternate CD".

(mind the singular in "CD")

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:24

Alternate CD images dropped with 12.10 releases, only for Lubuntu which are still built.

Reference: Where is the alternate installation ISO for Ubuntu Saucy?
Another option using Server images: when the tasksel pops up for services selection, Select none.

It will install only the base command-line environment without any server services. May be SSH the only thing you need.

Source: How do I install Ubuntu Server (step-by-step)

Which installation images allow the installation of a command-line system?

2 Answers2