hi,
I inastalled the server version of ubuntu 7.10 x86, and noticed there is no GUI, is this normal, i`m going to be using this system as a web server, am i able to get a gui for this or do i have to run the computer in a text enviroment?

The 'traditional' way of running a *nix server was in gui-less (often headless) mode, and given that GUIs and their associated applications are complex and often vectors for privilege escalation attacks, there is still an argument for doing this.

However, many server distros have been going over to an 'install the gui by default' approach, in spite of the security drawbacks with this approach. Oddly, Ubuntu server is one of the ones still in the 'no gui by default' camp.

You could simply add the GUI (via, e.g., the apt-get mechanism), but you ought to be aware that you are circumventing a decision that the developers have taken for your security. It depends on how onerous your security needs are.

Consider also something like webmin for 'remote, but with a graphical interface on the remote machine' admin.

The developers are correct to not install a GUI. All a GUI does is make it so somebody who doesn't understand what they are doing can still pretend they can run a server. If you can't do it at the command line, you can't do it, period. Do yourself the favor of learning the CLI, and you'll never need a GUI again. I only use it to look on the net, but none of the servers I run have a GUI, and that helps keep them up and safe.

Peace,
JimBass

I have to agree with Jim, just the act of moving a mouse is less secure than input received through pressed keys. The zeros and ones generated by the keyboard are inherently safer from hacker attack strategies. Mouse generated zeros and ones can more easily be manipulated by unauthorized users.

Real admins don't even use the CLI, we actually use punch card readers to configure and manage our servers. This prevents unauthorized access unless physically present at the machine. Our servers haven't been hacked in 35 years, and both our users rave about our rock-solid stability.