Ubuntu Labs

Ubuntu Customization Kit (UCK)

2006-12-29T00:46:00.000-08:00

UCK is a tool that allows you to customize official Ubuntu Live CDs (including Kubuntu/Xubuntu and Edubuntu) to your needs. You can add any package to the live system, for example language packs or applications.

Features:

Create bootable LiveCD with predefined languages based on original Ubuntu/Kubuntu live CD using wizard with GUI
Build live CD with special features using scripts. It is possible to customize root filesystem (for example install/remove packages), ISO contents (add/remove docs, change names) and initrd (add modules to boot, change boot sequence)

UCK is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

My thoughts...
This tool was primarily created to build localized Ubuntu LiveCDs for a particular language. It does have a GUI, but the real power of UCK is in its more advanced scripts. The documentation is limited, but I find UCK very useful for doing more complex customizations.

UCK Homepage

Reconstructor

2006-12-29T00:44:00.000-08:00

Reconstructor is a Live CD creator for Ubuntu Linux.

It uses the Ubuntu Linux Live CD as a base, and then allows customization of boot screens (usplash), gnome settings, and software (you can also use the chroot environment to make other changes before creating the live cd).

Reconstructor uses the solid Ubuntu foundation, and allows for extensive customization. For example, create a custom Live CD with blender, inkscape, etc. included for a friend in graphics, or simply use reconstructor to re-brand your environment (wallpaper, fonts).

Reconstructor is written in python and is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

My thoughts...
Reconstructor is an amazingly easy to use tool. The GUI is simple and well put together. One of the really nice features is its modular framework. Users can create modules to accomplish various customizations and share them via the Reconstrutor project site. The documentation is thorough and the support is excellent.

Reconstructor Homepage

Customization Tools

2006-12-28T06:06:00.000-08:00

Here are two excellent tools for customizing the Ubuntu LiveCD. These are the tools that I use for building all the projects on Ubuntu Labs as well as Ubuntu Christian Edition.

Reconstructor:
Reconstructor is a Live CD creator for Ubuntu Linux. It uses the Ubuntu Linux Live CD as a base, and then allows customization of boot screens (usplash), gnome settings, and software (you can also use the chroot environment to make other changes before creating the live cd).
Read more...

Ubuntu Customization Kit (UCK):
UCK is a tool that allows you to customize official Ubuntu Live CDs (including Kubuntu/Xubuntu and Edubuntu) to your needs. You can add any package to the live system, for example language packs, or applications.
Read more...

Ubuntu XP

2006-12-28T03:28:00.000-08:00

Many new users of Ubuntu are migrating from Windows XP. Since old habits can be hard to break, I thought it would be neat to have the security and power of Ubuntu with the look and feel of Windows XP.

Features:

Based on Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft
Flash 9 Beta
Mplayer
Multimedia Codecs
aMSN
Skype
Adobe Reader
Sun Java 1.5 JRE
Automatix2
AcidRip
Look and feel of Windows XP

Download Now
MD5SUM

*Ubuntu XP is for demonstration purposes only. It contains multimedia codecs and programs that may constitute a crime to possess without the proper licensing.

About Ubuntu Labs

2006-12-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions available. It has a wonderful balance between power, security and ease of use.

One of the greatest things about Ubuntu is the ability to customize and repackage it to create your own custom version of Ubuntu. A customized version of Ubuntu can be useful for organizations and individuals alike. Having a version of Ubuntu built specifically for a persons needs and desires is an excellent way to introduce them to Ubuntu and Linux.

There are many custom versions of Ubuntu that have become very popular. One of those is Ubuntu Christian Edition which is my main project and the inspiration for Ubuntu Labs.

Ubuntu Labs will bring you information on all of the latest tools for customizing Ubuntu.