I find the easiest way to do things which are only documented for the Desktop install of Ubuntu is to install a lightweight window manager like Ice WM and then configure the system using a GUI when no other method is documented or if the other documented methods take too much time to read them.

Please note I am using Ubuntu Server 6.10 to verify this documentation.

  1. Install Ice WM with Gnome support:
    1. Update /etc/apt/sources.list to include Universe repositories (see the MiniRAM how to in related links for more info).
    2. sudo apt-get install xserver-xfree86 x-window-system-core xdm numlockx xterm icewm icewm-gnome-support icewm-themes
    3. If you don't want the graphical login prompt loading upon reboot, disable the default display manager (will boot to command prompt login screen):
      1. sudo cp /etc/X11/default-display-manager /etc/X11/default-display-manager.bak
      2. sudo echo "false" > /etc/X11/default-display-manager
  2. Install CUPS for ease of printing:
    sudo apt-get install cupsys cupsys-client cupsys-driver-gimpprint defoma fontconfig foomatic-db foomatic-filters libcupsimage2 libexpat1 libfontconfig1 libfreetype6 libjpeg62 libpaper1 libpng12-0 libslp1 libtiff4 patch perl perl-modules ttf-bitstream-vera ucf
  3. Install the default printing configuration tool for the Ubuntu Desktop installation:
    sudo apt-get install gnome-cups-manager gs-gpl lpr
  4. Start up Ice WM and open the printer manager
    1. startx
    2. Once Ice WM starts up:

      1. Click on the "Start" button (in this case it's the "Ice WM" or "debian" button in the bottom left)

        Ice WM is great because it utilizes Windows Explorer shortcuts, meaning the windows key works along with alt+space to maximize windows, etc... so you don't have to connect a mouse if you know windows explorer shortcuts.
      2. Click Terminal or xterm
      3. sudo gnome-cups-manager