How to build a custom version of Ubuntu

rebuilder is a tool to create custom Ubuntu CDs. It uses any version (be it Desktop, Alternate or Server) as a base. Allows you to customize almost any aspect of the distribution: from the included software to the visual aspect (including themes, fonts, wallpapers, etc.).

What do you need:
- An ISO image of Ubuntu (any version).
- Ubuntu installed on your machine

How to install Reconstructor

Follow the detailed instructions here.

How to use Reconstructor

Go to Applications> System Tools> Reconstructor.

Press Next on the welcome screen

I chose the type of CD on which Reconstructor will be based.

The next screen is for setting up the work environment. I recommend you choose these three options:

• Create Remaster
• create root
• Create Initial Ramdisk

In "Live CD ISO filename", select the directory where you want to save the custom ISO.

The next screen is the most important as it allows customization of the system.

Customization

1.Boot Screen

This step allows, among other things, to change the home screen. Remember that the replacement image must be 640 × 480 and saved in the .pcx format. Watch this tutorial to learn how to create pcx files with Gimp.

Ignore the Generate button.

Gnome

This tab allows us to change some visual aspects of GNOME. You can configure the theme, the login screen, the desktop background, the fonts, the borders, the icons, etc. Do not forget that in http://www.gnome-look.org you can find good options to customize your desktop.

Apt

This tab allows you to choose Apt repositories that you want to include in your distro. It is advisable to choose the 4 repositories that come by default in Ubuntu. Also, you can include your favorite repositories. Each repository on a different line.

Optimization

Advanced optimization for users who know a lot. 🙂 If this is your first time using the program, skip this part.

LiveCD

This tab allows us to customize some questions related to the use of the ISO as LiveCD. In case you use applications that require remote access, it is recommended to leave all options (username and password) blank.

Modules

This is perhaps the most important part of all. In this tab you can decide which packages you want to include in your custom Ubuntu. When you choose a module, you can configure it as: a) Execute, install the package when your Ubuntu is installed; b) "Run on boot", executes the module after the user logs in using the LiveCD.

There are an uncountable number of modules that you can download from rebuilder site. Once you download the third party modules, click on "Add" to include them in the "Modules" section.

To include or remove any application that is not found in the modules, you can enter the name of the application in the fields "sudo apt-get install" or "sudo apt-get remove".

Click Apply to confirm the changes made. The program will configure and install the chosen software and update the ISO in real time.

Once you are done with customizing, click Next. The last screen to build the Live CD will appear.

Build the distribution

Before that, make sure all options are chosen. All of them are necessary to create the administrator file system and compress it to the ISO of the Live CD. Finally, enter the path where you want to save the modified ISO.

Have a coffee and sit down to enjoy the magic.

To burn the ISO, click on "Burn ISO"

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