If you're the type of computer user who constantly bounces between different Linux distros, it can be kind of a hassle to continually get each one set up the way you like it. Even if you're returning to your "normal" distro (for instance, returning to Ubuntu after having tried out Linux Mint and Fedora), then you understand the drudgery involved in replacing "this" program with "that" program.
Enter a handy program called Ubuntu Builder. With it, and the Ubuntu Mini Remix CD, you can create a custom ISO that – once installed, or run from a USB stick or Live CD – will be your Linux… just the way you like it. Everything is customizable, from the splash image to the application selection.
To use Ubuntu Builder, you'll first need to install it. You can grab the tar.gz source package or .deb installer from this page.
Once installed, you can call up Ubuntu Builder the same as any other program. Here we are launching it from the Dash.
Once up and running, you'll see this window.
Now you'll need an ISO image to work with. Ubuntu Builder by default downloads the Ubuntu Mini Remix CDs, or you can download one yourself. All versions of the Remix, from 10.04 up through the current 11.10, are supported.
You'll receive notice when the download is complete.
Once you've done this, you'll be asked for your password, and the ISO image will be checked, then mounted, so you can add software to it, to create your own person version of Ubuntu.
What all can you do? A whole lot, actually. Since the Ubuntu Mini Remix is a console-based environment (meaning there is no X Server or any GUI applications), you can install any desktop environment, including GNOME, KDE and Xfce, as well as LXDE, OpenBox, FluxBox, BlackBox and IceWM. Simply select the one you want, then click the Install DE/WM button.
What's nice is that when installing a desktop environment, you'll be getting a pretty vanilla version. You won't get the Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu/Lubuntu branding. The overall Distro itself will show the Ubuntu splash, but even that can be changed.
You can either install new software into your person distribution by using .deb files, or you can edit the sources.list file to add other repositories, such as personal package archives (PPAs). Once you've added a PPA, you can install software (or software already in the Ubuntu repositories) via Synaptic.
These methods really let you configure your personal Ubuntu to be the way you want it. Don't like Firefox? Delete it via Synaptic and install a different web browser. Same with text editors, music players, multimedia support… anything you want to add, you can.
When you've set up your distro, click the Build ISO button to create your new ISO file.
You can then burn that ISO to a CD, or copy it to a USB flash drive for a live session or installing, or you could use QEMU (an emulation program), to try out the new distro right away, without rebooting. It won't be as fast as using it via a Flash drive or CD, or especially when compared to the installed version, but this will allow you to ensure that everything is working as expected.
Now you can simply do what you'd do with a standard ISO image… burn it to CD or copy to Flash drive, in order to use as a live session, or install to your hard drive. Whichever you choose, you now have a fully custom version, for distribution or personal use.
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