[ubuntu-uk] Desktop or Server?

[Chris Ray]

As a Ubuntu newbie I'm thinking of migrating a couple of servers I have 
from openSuse to Ubuntu.  They need updating anyway, (running Open Suse 
10.2) but I could spend the time moving distros.
What I need are server functions; DNS, DHCP, Postfix, Samba, etc. But, 
as the servers are remote, I also want to get to an X desktop via VNC.
I have no concerns about command lines, grep and awk do not scare me, 
well maybe awk just a bit;  but a GUI is so much easier browsing for 
updates or moving files around.
I was impressed that Ubuntu has separate Desktop and Server editions but 
worried that the Server edition appears not to load X or Gnome. (unless 
I missed an option somewhere?)
I can understand dropping Open Office, Gimp, Media players, etc., from a 
server edition, but why a GUI desktop?

So, as I see it, either I missed something in the Server setup, or I 
have to choose between adding server stuff to a Desktop install, or 
adding GUI stuff to a server install.
I cannot be the first here.  Any advice greatly appreciated.

Chris