Some tips with setting up minimal ubuntu installation in VirtualBox.
- Start with the ubuntu server installation to keep the installation size small.
- Use dynamic disks to keep disk usage small on the host.
- Keep separate partitions for usr, var as these grow over time.
- If you did not start with separate partitions for usr and var, you can move them later. http://askubuntu.com/questions/656/how-to-move-usr-to-a-new-partition
- Use CloneVDI to compact the virtual disks. This is particularly useful if 'df' shows low disk usage but the .vdi file is large.
- Use xmonad for a window manager.
- No need for a graphical login manager if it is just a single user system. Use rungetty and startx to autoboot to a graphical desktop. http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?p=166147#p166147
- Use apt-file to find the package that provides a specific file.
- Append :i386 to a package name if you want the 32 bit version on a 64 bit kernel.
