I love the minimalist Linux distributions out there and have tried a half-dozen of them so far. The slackware based minimalist distributions especially are very good, being very stable, fast, friendly, and easy to play with. Also, I HIGHLY recommend PCLinuxOS LXDE (a Mandriva-based distro), I have it installed on one of my computers and just love it for it’s speed and stability.
Just yesterday though I found out that it’s possible to easily install a minimalist Debian setup with the fluxbox WM. In fact, this “how to” will be over before you know it. 
If you have installed Debian before, then you will be on familiar ground. If not, then follow these steps for an easy setup. To have a minimal installation, make sure to only check the option for “Standard System” (last option).
When you are done with the installation, reboot and you will be taken to the command line where you have to log in. Once logged in, run the following:
sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install xorg xterm wdm fluxbox
startx
That’s it, you now have a very fast base system to play with.
BTW, here’s a sweet gift for my Linux loving friends, it’s a picture that I took in Washington D.C., and it came out pretty sweet.
You don’t even need “Standard System”, if you want to start very minimal. Admittedly you will probably end up wanting many of those packages.
You can also keep things minimal by configuring apt to only install required dependencies rather than recommended ones.
What version of Debian did you use? how many cds were required or was it a net install CD?? Looking forward to doing something similar, maybe as a base for a GUI’d webserver.
Cheers:)
Hi Warren.
I used the Lenny net install version. I then used the text installation option (just hit enter at boot:).
Hi Ted, thanks for the hint, I had no idea apt-get could be configured so. I’ll look into that.
Warren, if you want a stand-alone install, you must use the CD#1 (there are three versions of CD#1 available, standard (GNOME), KDE or XFCE). Since GNOME and KDE are so big, they require a dedicated CD#1 all their own. Make sure to examine all your “advanced” install command line options, you might see something else you like before starting.
When using the network install, both 35MB bootable business card or 150MB “NetInstall”, you choose which GUI style you want at the install under advanced options.
It used to be that by using the NetInstall minimal disks, and then not hooking up the network cable, it was possible to put a REALLY minimal system in place, but now the NetInstall won’t complete without a live connection to the Debian archives.