## 6.3.4. Installing the Base System 

Although this stage is the least problematic, it consumes a significant fraction of the install because it downloads, verifies and unpacks the whole base system. If you have a slow computer or network connection, this could take some time. 

During installation of the base system, package unpacking and setup messages are redirected to tty4 . 

You can access this terminal by pressing Left Alt - F4 ; get back to the main installer process with Left Alt - F1 . 

The unpack/setup messages generated during this phase are also saved in /var/log/syslog . You can check them there if the installation is performed over a serial console. 

As part of the installation, a Linux kernel will be installed. At the default priority, the installer will choose one for you that best matches your hardware. In lower priority modes, you will be able to choose from a list of available kernels. 

When packages are installed using the package management system, it will by default also install packages that are recommended by those packages. Recommended packages are not strictly required for the core functionality of the selected software, but they do enhance that software and should, in the view of the package maintainers, normally be installed together with that software. 

Note: For technical reasons packages installed during the installation of the base system are installed without their “Recommends”. The rule described above only takes effect after this point in the installation process. 

## 6.3.5. Installing Additional Software 

At this point you have a usable but limited system. Most users will want to install additional software on the system to tune it to their needs, and the installer allows you to do so. This step can take even longer than installing the base system if you have a slow computer or network connection. 

## 6.3.5.1. Configuring apt 

Some of the tools used to install packages on a Ubuntu system are the programs called apt-get or just apt , from the apt package$^{8}$. Other front-ends for package management, like aptitude and synaptic , are also in use. These front-ends are recommended for new users, since they integrate some additional features (package searching and status checks) in a nice user interface. 

The apt and apt-get front-end must be configured so that it knows from where to retrieve packages. 

The results of this configuration are written to the file /etc/apt/sources.list . You can examine and edit this file to your liking after the installation is complete. 

If you are installing at default priority, the installer will largely take care of the configuration auto- matically, based on the installation method you are using and possibly using choices made earlier in the installation. In most cases the installer will automatically add a security mirror and, if you are installing the stable distribution, a mirror for the “stable-updates” service. 

