One tool that can help you achieve this is Cubic, which offers a range of features designed to simplify and enhance the process of customizing your Ubuntu distribution and other Debian-based systems. Let’s take a closer look at what Cubic is, how it works, and why it’s become the go-to modern tool for customizing Ubuntu and other Debian-based distributions. Cubic, or Custom Ubuntu ISO Creator, provides a user-friendly graphical interface that allows you to create a bootable ISO image of your customized Ubuntu system with ease. It simplifies the entire process, making it more accessible for users of all skill levels by offering a more streamlined and efficient approach to customizing Ubuntu, compared to older, more manual methods. With Cubic, you can easily add or remove packages, modify system settings, and even include your own scripts—all within a single environment. This guide will take you through the entire process, from installation to customization.
↪ System Requirements
Before you begin, ensure your system meets the following requirements:
Operating System: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or later, or Linux Mint based on Ubuntu.RAM: At least 2 GB (4 GB or more recommended).Disk Space: A minimum of 5 GB of free space for the project directory and ISO files.
If your system meets the minimum requirements, you’re all set to follow the guide below.
Step 1: Install Cubic
Before you can start creating your custom ISO, you need to install Cubic on your system. Here’s how: Note: The –no-install-recommends option keeps the installation lightweight by not including extra packages.
Step 2: Launch Cubic
Once installed, you can launch Cubic by finding it in your applications menu and clicking to open it, or by typing cubic into the terminal.
Step 3: Set Up Your Project
When you launch Cubic, you will be guided through several steps to create your custom ISO.
Step 4: Choose the ISO File
Step 5: Customize Volume Information
Customize the Volume ID, Name, and Version of your ISO. Example:
Volume ID: MyCustomDistroName: My Custom DistroVersion: 1.00
Explanation: This information will be displayed when you install or boot from your custom ISO.
Step 6: Decompress the ISO
Click Next to start the process of decompressing the ISO. This may take a few moments, depending on your system’s speed.
Step 7: Customize the Filesystem
Once the ISO is decompressed, you will enter a chroot environment where you can customize the filesystem.
Step 8: Customize Desktop Environment and Settings
Adjust the command for other desktop environments as needed. Example to Install a Package: Replace package-name with the name of the software you want to install.
Step 9: Finalize Your Custom ISO
Step 10: Test Your Custom Distro
Step 11: Finalization and Distribution
Use tools like Rufus/balenaEtcher (for Windows) or Etcher (for Linux) to create a bootable USB drive from your custom ISO.
If you want to share your custom ISO, consider uploading it to a file-sharing service or hosting it on a personal website. If you followed all the steps carefully, you have successfully created your own custom Linux distribution using Cubic.
Feel free to explore further customizations and enjoy your new distro! If you have any questions or run into issues, don’t hesitate to seek help from the Linux community, as they are often very supportive and knowledgeable. Let’s wrap up by addressing a common question: Is it better to use Ubuntu as is, or should you consider customizing it?
↪ The Bottom Line
Deciding whether to stick with Ubuntu’s default setup or customize it with tools like Cubic really comes down to what you need. The default setup is perfect for its simplicity and reliability, but customization can give you a more personalized and potentially powerful experience. Ubuntu’s flexibility lets you choose what suits you best. If you run into any issues while customizing your Ubuntu ISO with Cubic, you can always revisit this guide for help or reach out to the supportive Ubuntu community, which is likely to have solutions for you. And if you have any other questions about this guide, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!
