Last changed 1 Dec 2009, will be reflected in 9.10 release.

If you are here to install an Ubuntu system identical to Masonux on a computer with less than 256 mb of RAM, skip to step 2 ("Initial System Setup") and stop there, optionally skipping all of the remastersys stuff and leaving ubiquity out of the apt-get install command. You can add remastersys and ubiquity later, if you like. I usually run sudo su and work in a root terminal - if you are uncomfortable doing that, then don't and simply add sudo to the beginning of all of the below commands.

These are the exact notes I reference when putting the .iso file together using virtualbox and remastersys. This is my "how-to" guide for myself. This is also the entire "development model," if you want to call it that. This is the actual working document, so don't be surprised if it changes over time without notice and without explanation. Some may find this the most useful part of the project, some may find it completely useless. Either way, here it is:

Tools

Do not install any of this anywhere until indicated in the notes.

VirtualBox - The open source edition in the Ubuntu repos ("VirtualBox OSE") works, but the proprietary version available for download from the website linked works with less of a headache. I do not suggest trying to have both installed at the same time. They both include some kernel modules, so if you have one edition and want to try the other: uninstall, reboot your computer, install the other version, and reboot again.
remastersys - An outstanding tool. Can also be used to backup your system onto an installable .iso file.
repogen - This really is an outstanding tool. One of the first things I do on any Ubuntu install is use this to generate a sources.list that exactly suits my needs and desires and replace the default.

Initial System Setup

Use the latest mini.iso from ubuntu to create command-line only install.


add next 2 lines to end of /etc/apt/sources.list: #do not do this if you are simply installing Masonux onto your computer via the command line.

run as root:

Optional: create and install a .deb metapackage. Put all the stuff apt-get lists under the "these packages are no longer needed and can be removed" list.

#note that ubiquity is the graphical installer and remastersys is used to make the .iso. Leave those two out if you are simply installing Masonux to your computer via the command line.