Ubuntu – How to really customize an “ubuntu-11.04-alternate-amd64.iso” image

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I have a dream:), I want to customize an "ubuntu-11.04-alternate-amd64.iso" image. What is the best software/solution for it?

I want to customize these things (ALL OF THEM is needed):

  • Customized package list: I don't need all that comes with the default install, but I have a few thats not inc. in the def. install.

  • GUI: I don't want a Desktop Environment in it, I only want to use the Openbox WM.

  • I want a "half-automated" install: the installer only asks for: 1 encryption password + timezone + 1 username/password.

    So e.g.: the installer automatically creates an encrypted VolumeGroup with the given password (partitions: 256 MB /boot + VG get's the rest of the place: in the VG: 10 GByte to / and 2 GByte to swap and the rest goes to /home). – I mean with full encryption.

  • Automatically configure a few apps: e.g.: Google Chrome/Firefox – e.g.: auto install WOT+NoScript in them.

  • Automatically install & configure: grsecurity; PaX; Pro Police; DigSig.

  • Configure in a way that the OS will do all the updates automatically without user interaction.

  • Set file associations, e.g.: VLC for all the video files, etc.

  • Install a Local DNS cache + Privoxy proxy & configure them to use as default, e.g.: ns: 127.0.0.1, HTTP/S proxy: 127.0.0.1:8118

  • Automatically set the iptables Firewall rules that I provide.

Thanks for any help reaching my goal. Have a nice day.

p.s.: All that in one ISO image file (so not like e.g.: boot from a PXE server, i need a custom image in my hand that already contains the needed packages(even extra pack.) not that it downloads them when installing 😛 )

Best Answer

Site after site, and application after application... I'm sorry, but for me, all of he above is unnecessary, and will just make things more difficult. The method I prefer for creating a custom LiveCD is to simply mount the image, replicate the contents out, mount the squashfs, replicate the contents into a working directory, chroot in and have a ball. The majority of what you mentioned can be done by editing the default settings for each individual application, usually located under /usr/share/$applicationName/default, or is system wide and therefore has a config in /etc. If you modify everything while chrooted, you can then run mksquashfs on the working directory, replace the squashfs from the original liveCD and create your image. Ubuntu actually has a very comprehensive wiki for this.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCDCustomization

Edit: I'm sorry, I just realized that you referenced that article yesterday. I have stepped through it quite a few times, although mainly for the creation of custom portable live usb devices, and I can give you any help you need if you just send me a message.

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