[ubuntu-uk] Desktop or Server?

[Rob Beard]

Chris Ray wrote:
> 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
>
>   
If it was me, I'd say install the server and add the GUI stuff on 
afterwards.  Personally I find it much quicker and easier to work on a 
server using SSH, but that's my personal preference.

Rob