Although I use Mint (an Ubuntu derivative) for my main machine, for some purposes I like to roll my own distribution.

Generally I install the bare minimum (see A Server with X Appeal) and then install the Gnome Desktop on top of that.

Once debian is installed Gnome is installed as follows….

First an update….

su
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

Then the installation of the window manager…

su
apt-get install xorg
apt-get install gnome-core synaptic update-manager gnome-app-install gnome-menus gnome-mime-data gnome-mount nautilus firefox sendemail gdebi

You could always leave out sendemail, synaptic and firefox.

If you are using Debian rather than Ubuntu you will need to install iceweasel instead of Firefox.

All the best

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