I've installed Ubuntu a lot over the years, and with my OCD I like things to be just right. I have it down to a fine art now, updated with the new features of 16.04:
Pure Clean Default Install, no network, no encryption - wipe disk and start from scratch, all my stuff is either in the cloud or on external media so it's all good.
I install without network so that I can remove unwanted apps before any unnecessary updates are detected, downloaded and installed.
On first boot after install I do the same things each time...
Settings:
- Security & Privacy > turn all off
- Time and Date > Clock > Weekday & Seconds
- Brightness and Lock > 30 minutes
- Text Entry > Keyboard Icon > Num Lock a couple of times until green is set
- Bluetooth > Off
- FOR SSD LAPTOP: Power > When lid is closed - do nothing
Uninstall unused apps that are not needed but are pending update:
With the new 16.04 (super fast) Ubuntu Software app, you can easily see ahead of time what updates the OS wants to install - use this tool to determine if you actually need those apps it's about to update. Up to now my default apps to remove are:
sudo apt-get purge libreoffice* thunderbird unity-webapps-common gnome-calendar.
(ps. I remove libreoffice as I use Google Drive, the choice is yours, same for client email Thunderbird vs webmail of any flavour)
Autoremove:
sudo apt-get autoremove`
Clean apt in readiness for first update and upgrade:
sudo apt-get clean
Enable and configure firewall before connecting to the internet:
sudo ufw enable
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing
Connect to Network > Update & Upgrade:
- Plug in Ethernet or connect to wifi as normal (search for answers if you need help on this)
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Reboot
Install additional apps as required:
sudo apt-get install chromium-browser vlc gimp
(only install ubuntu-restricted-extras if you know you need all the included apps) - otherwise install the bits you need when you need them. For example Flash seems to be on it's way out, but if you need it install it:
sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer
So, to my question... can this configuration, or something like it, be done ahead of time, so that, other than the dist-upgrade everything else is set as I'm aiming for?
Also, if I've missed any obvious, beneficial, efficiency or symmetry related configurations please let me know.
