My preferred apps to install after an absolute minimum install apt-get -y upgrade apt-get -y install nano elinks expect rcconf sudo apt-get -y install wpasupplicant dhcp-client apt-get -y install linux-headers gcc make cpp apt-get -y ntfs-3g unzip unrar apt-get -y install x11 icewm xfce xpdf apt-get -y install opera iceweasel filezilla rdesktop skype transmission leafpad alsa-base vlc apt-get -y install wine kismet notepad2? adobe-flashplugin //necessary cleanup apt-get purge avahi-daemon avahi-utils gftp-common nano - CLI text editor elinks - CLI web browser expect - app that allows you to turn apps from interactive into scripted rcconf - easier method of controlling services/daemons at startup sudo - allows using the sudo command and visudo to modify the /etc/sudoers wpa supplicant - enable wpa wifi access for linux dhcp-client - get dynamic ip address ability linux-headers - required if any programs want to build kernel mods gcc - gnu c compiler for compiling programs make - application to read/run make files for compiling source code cpp - c pre processor ntfs-3g - required to access NTFS partitions unzip & unrar - decompress archive documents x11 - required for GUI icewm - lightweight window manager leafpad - notepad like GUI text editor vlc - universal video / audio media player firefox - mozilla open source browser filezilla - GUI ftp rdesktop - remote desktop control of microsoft windows RDP transmission - bittorrent client skype - internet voip kismet - wifi ap signal strength utility adobe-flashplugin - plugin for browsers for flash player mingetty - for autologin wine - windows apps on linux (great for any "portable apps") notepad2 - win32 based text source editor libre office (open source office suite) gimp - photo editing calibre - convert ebooks eclipse - IDE for programming/development (tomcat web server) alsa-base - may be required for Sound Card thunderbird - GUI email opera - fastest GUI web browser