debian testing net install.
 

I downloaded the iso and burned it for the net installer. However I am wondering if it is possable to specifically choose what packages to install. I get to the part where you choose what packages groups, it has desktop enviromnent, sql server, webserver etc etc. However it doesn not specifically let me choose ahat packages at that point. I know I could do it manually and just has a base system. However I do not know what packages are required on a desktop system. I was hoping i would be ablw to have it just install gnome and desktop packages for gnome rather then it also downloading kde as well and all the kde packages and kdeentertainment etc etc. Is this possable while using the package grioups that are available during the install. Or would it be easier using the package groups provided and then using apt afterwards to remove packages I do not want?

Thanks in advance Michael

Reboot, and at the prompt, # apt-get gnome

That's what I would do. You're probably eventually going to get significant parts of kde, assuming you want k3b and any other kde based packages, but you won't get any more than necessary for the pieces you will use.

I just did the net install on Thursday, by default for testing you get gnome 2.12.1 which is very nice.
You will get a fully functioning desktop system by going wih the default setting. Then after the install you can fire up apt-get or synaptic and get KDE or what ever else you need.

You can use "apt-get -s install package_name", the "-s" will show what will be installed before actually doing it. Doing as rickh says is a good way to start.

The option at the bottom of tasksel is Select individual packages

Generally what I do is install a base system and do "apt-get install x-window-system gnome-desktop-environment gdm", and that gives me a stripped down GNOME desktop with GDM. The same could apply to any window manager or desktop.