[buug] converting Ubuntu to Xubuntu?

Michael Paoli Michael.Paoli at cal.berkeley.edu
Wed Jan 2 05:06:18 PST 2013 

Anyway, thought I'd peek a bit more closely.
For earlier background, see:
http://buug.org/pipermail/buug/2012-December/003964.html
http://buug.org/pipermail/buug/2012-December/003965.html
et. seq.

my comments on lines starting with //
// So, I launch:
// Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release i386 (20120817.3
// and:
// Xubuntu 12.04.1 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release i386 (20120817.3)
// from CD ISO images on a pair of virtual machines:
# virsh list --all
  Id Name                 State
----------------------------------
   5 ubuntu               running
   6 xubuntu              running

#
// on each, I do:
# apt-get --no-install-recommends install openssh-server
// and put ssh keys in place.
// the leading "> " are PS2 prompts
$ (for hn in ubuntu xubuntu; do
> for id in "$hn" root; do
> echo $(ssh -ax -l "$id" "$hn" 'hostname; id -un')
> done; done)
ubuntu ubuntu
ubuntu root
xubuntu xubuntu
xubuntu root
$ (for hn in ubuntu xubuntu; do
> ssh -ax -l "$hn" "$hn" 'grep -i ubuntu /etc/passwd; uname -a
> head -n 1 /etc/motd; lsb_release -drc'
> done)
ubuntu:x:999:999:Live session user,,,:/home/ubuntu:/bin/bash
Linux ubuntu 3.2.0-29-generic-pae #46-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jul 27 17:25:43  
UTC 2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
Welcome to Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS (GNU/Linux 3.2.0-29-generic-pae i686)
Description:    Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS
Release:        12.04
Codename:       precise
xubuntu:x:999:999:Live session user,,,:/home/xubuntu:/bin/bash
Linux xubuntu 3.2.0-29-generic #46-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jul 27 17:04:05 UTC  
2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
Welcome to Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS (GNU/Linux 3.2.0-29-generic i686)
Description:    Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS
Release:        12.04
Codename:       precise
$
// note the PAE kernel used (at least by default) on Ubuntu, but not
// on Xubuntu
// package differences?
// what packages on xubuntu but not ubuntu?
$ { ssh -ax -l ubuntu ubuntu 'dpkg --get-selections' | awk '
> {if($2=="install")print $1; print$1;}'; ssh -ax -l xubuntu xubuntu '
> dpkg --get-selections' | awk '{if($2=="install")print $1;}' | sort -u
> } | sort | uniq -u
abiword
abiword-common
abiword-plugin-grammar
abiword-plugin-mathview
alacarte
bison
blueman
brltty-x11
catfish
cmap-adobe-japan1
docbook-xml
exo-utils
firefox-locale-fr
flex
fonts-droid
gigolo
gimp
gimp-data
gmusicbrowser
gnome-desktop-data
gnome-system-tools
gnome-time-admin
gnumeric
gnumeric-common
gnumeric-doc
gstreamer0.10-gnomevfs
gthumb
gthumb-data
gtk2-engines-pixbuf
indicator-application-gtk2
indicator-messages-gtk2
indicator-sound-gtk2
indicator-status-provider-pidgin
language-pack-fr
language-pack-fr-base
language-pack-gnome-fr
language-pack-gnome-fr-base
language-pack-gnome-xh
language-pack-gnome-xh-base
language-pack-xh
language-pack-xh-base
leafpad
libabiword-2.9
libao-common
libao4
libaudio-scrobbler-perl
libbabl-0.0-0
libbison-dev
libcolamd2.7.1
libconfig-inifiles-perl
libdigest-crc-perl
libencode-locale-perl
libept1.4.12
libexo-1-0
libexo-common
libexo-helpers
libfile-listing-perl
libfl-dev
libfont-afm-perl
libgarcon-1-0
libgarcon-common
libgdome2-0
libgdome2-cpp-smart0c2a
libgegl-0.0-0
libgimp2.0
libglade2-0
libgnomevfs2-0
libgnomevfs2-common
libgnomevfs2-extra
libgoffice-0.8-8
libgoffice-0.8-8-common
libgsf-1-114
libgsf-1-common
libgstreamer-perl
libgtk2-notify-perl
libgtk2-trayicon-perl
libgtkmathview0c2a
libgtkspell0
libhtml-form-perl
libhtml-format-perl
libhtml-parser-perl
libhtml-tagset-perl
libhtml-tree-perl
libhttp-cookies-perl
libhttp-daemon-perl
libhttp-date-perl
libhttp-message-perl
libhttp-negotiate-perl
libid3tag0
libido-0.1-0
libilmbase6
libio-socket-inet6-perl
libio-socket-ssl-perl
libjavascriptcoregtk-1.0-0
libjpeg-progs
libjpeg-turbo-progs
libkeybinder0
liblaunchpad-integration1
liblink-grammar4
libloudmouth1-0
liblwp-mediatypes-perl
liblwp-protocol-https-perl
libmad0
libmailtools-perl
libnet-dbus-perl
libnet-http-perl
libnet-ssleay-perl
liboobs-1-5
libopenexr6
libotr2
libots0
librarian0
libsexy2
libsocket6-perl
libtagc0
libthunarx-2-0
libtidy-0.99-0
libtie-ixhash-perl
libtimedate-perl
libtumbler-1-0
libunique-1.0-0
liburi-perl
libvte-common
libvte9
libwebkitgtk-1.0-0
libwebkitgtk-1.0-common
libwv-1.2-4
libwww-perl
libwww-robotrules-perl
libxfce4ui-1-0
libxfce4util-bin
libxfce4util-common
libxfce4util4
libxfcegui4-4
libxfconf-0-2
libxml-parser-perl
libxml-twig-perl
libxml-xpath-perl
libxss1
lightdm-gtk-greeter
link-grammar-dictionaries-en
linux-generic
linux-headers-3.2.0-29-generic
linux-headers-generic
linux-image-3.2.0-29-generic
linux-image-generic
lp-solve
m4
miscfiles
mpg321
orage
parole
pastebinit
pavucontrol
pidgin
pidgin-data
pidgin-libnotify
pidgin-microblog
pidgin-otr
plymouth-theme-xubuntu-logo
plymouth-theme-xubuntu-text
python-configobj
python-glade2
python-gmenu
rarian-compat
ristretto
screensaver-default-images
sgml-data
shimmer-themes
synaptic
system-tools-backends
tcl8.5
thunar
thunar-archive-plugin
thunar-data
thunar-media-tags-plugin
thunar-volman
ttf-droid
ttf-lyx
tumbler
tumbler-common
ubiquity-slideshow-xubuntu
xchat
xchat-common
xfburn
xfce-keyboard-shortcuts
xfce4-appfinder
xfce4-cpugraph-plugin
xfce4-datetime-plugin
xfce4-dict
xfce4-indicator-plugin
xfce4-mailwatch-plugin
xfce4-netload-plugin
xfce4-notes
xfce4-notes-plugin
xfce4-notifyd
xfce4-panel
xfce4-places-plugin
xfce4-power-manager
xfce4-power-manager-data
xfce4-quicklauncher-plugin
xfce4-screenshooter
xfce4-session
xfce4-settings
xfce4-systemload-plugin
xfce4-taskmanager
xfce4-terminal
xfce4-utils
xfce4-verve-plugin
xfce4-volumed
xfce4-weather-plugin
xfce4-xkb-plugin
xfconf
xfdesktop4
xfdesktop4-data
xfwm4
xscreensaver
xscreensaver-data
xscreensaver-gl
xubuntu-artwork
xubuntu-default-settings
xubuntu-desktop
xubuntu-docs
xubuntu-icon-theme
xubuntu-live-settings
xubuntu-wallpapers
// what packages on ubuntu but not xubuntu?
$ { ssh -ax -l xubuntu xubuntu 'dpkg --get-selections' | awk '
> {if($2=="install")print $1; print$1;}'; ssh -ax -l ubuntu ubuntu '
> dpkg --get-selections' | awk '{if($2=="install")print $1;}' | sort -u
> } | sort | uniq -u
activity-log-manager-common
activity-log-manager-control-center
adium-theme-ubuntu
apg
appmenu-gtk
appmenu-gtk3
appmenu-qt
apturl
apturl-common
bamfdaemon
baobab
bluez-gstreamer
branding-ubuntu
brasero
brasero-cdrkit
brasero-common
checkbox
checkbox-qt
cmap-adobe-japan2
compiz
compiz-core
compiz-gnome
compiz-plugins-default
compiz-plugins-main-default
compizconfig-backend-gconf
deja-dup
duplicity
dvd+rw-tools
empathy
empathy-common
eog
evolution-data-server
evolution-data-server-common
example-content
folks-common
gedit
gedit-common
geoclue
geoclue-ubuntu-geoip
ginn
gir1.2-gnomebluetooth-1.0
gir1.2-gnomekeyring-1.0
gir1.2-gst-plugins-base-0.10
gir1.2-gtksource-3.0
gir1.2-indicate-0.7
gir1.2-peas-1.0
gir1.2-rb-3.0
gir1.2-totem-1.0
gir1.2-totem-plparser-1.0
gir1.2-ubuntuoneui-3.0
gnome-bluetooth
gnome-control-center
gnome-control-center-data
gnome-desktop3-data
gnome-disk-utility
gnome-font-viewer
gnome-icon-theme-symbolic
gnome-media
gnome-menus
gnome-nettool
gnome-online-accounts
gnome-orca
gnome-power-manager
gnome-screensaver
gnome-screenshot
gnome-session
gnome-session-bin
gnome-session-canberra
gnome-session-common
gnome-settings-daemon
gnome-system-log
gnome-system-monitor
gnome-terminal
gnome-terminal-data
gnome-user-share
growisofs
gstreamer0.10-gconf
gwibber
gwibber-service
gwibber-service-facebook
gwibber-service-identica
gwibber-service-twitter
hwdata
indicator-appmenu
indicator-datetime
indicator-power
indicator-printers
indicator-session
intel-gpu-tools
landscape-client-ui-install
libatk-adaptor
libatk-adaptor-schemas
libaudio2
libavahi-gobject0
libavahi-ui-gtk3-0
libbamf0
libbamf3-0
libboost-serialization1.46.1
libbrasero-media3-1
libcamel-1.2-29
libcanberra-gtk-module
libcanberra-gtk0
libcanberra-pulse
libcmis-0.2-0
libcompizconfig0
libcurl3
libcurl3-nss
libdbusmenu-qt2
libdconf-dbus-1-0
libdconf-qt0
libdecoration0
libdiscid0
libdmapsharing-3.0-2
libebackend-1.2-1
libebook-1.2-12
libecal-1.2-10
libedata-book-1.2-11
libedata-cal-1.2-13
libedataserver-1.2-15
libedataserverui-3.0-1
libexempi3
libexttextcat-data
libexttextcat0
libfolks-eds25
libfolks-telepathy25
libfolks25
libfreerdp-plugins-standard
libfreerdp1
libgail-common
libgdata-common
libgdata13
libgdu-gtk0
libgexiv2-1
libglew1.6
libglewmx1.6
libgmime-2.6-0
libgnome-control-center1
libgnome-desktop-3-2
libgnome-media-profiles-3.0-0
libgnome2-common
libgnomekbd-common
libgnomekbd7
libgoa-1.0-0
libgoa-1.0-common
libgpgme11
libgpod-common
libgpod4
libgtksourceview-3.0-0
libgtksourceview-3.0-common
libgtkspell-3-0
libgweather-3-0
libgweather-common
libgwibber-gtk2
libgwibber2
libhyphen0
libidl-common
libidl0
liblircclient0
liblouis-data
liblouis2
libmetacity-private0
libmission-control-plugins0
libmtp-common
libmtp-runtime
libmtp9
libmusicbrainz3-6
libmythes-1.2-0
libneon27-gnutls
libnux-2.0-0
libnux-2.0-common
liboauth0
liborbit2
liboverlay-scrollbar-0.2-0
liboverlay-scrollbar3-0.2-0
libpackagekit-glib2-14
libpeas-1.0-0
libpeas-common
libprotobuf7
libprotoc7
libproxy1-plugin-gsettings
libproxy1-plugin-networkmanager
libpth20
libqt4-dbus
libqt4-declarative
libqt4-network
libqt4-opengl
libqt4-script
libqt4-sql
libqt4-sql-sqlite
libqt4-svg
libqt4-xml
libqt4-xmlpatterns
libqtbamf1
libqtcore4
libqtdee2
libqtgconf1
libqtgui4
libquvi-scripts
libquvi7
libraw5
libreoffice-base-core
libreoffice-calc
libreoffice-common
libreoffice-core
libreoffice-draw
libreoffice-emailmerge
libreoffice-gnome
libreoffice-gtk
libreoffice-help-en-us
libreoffice-impress
libreoffice-math
libreoffice-style-human
libreoffice-style-tango
libreoffice-writer
librest-0.7-0
librhythmbox-core5
librsync1
libsdl1.2debian
libssh-4
libstlport4.6ldbl
libsyncdaemon-1.0-1
libtelepathy-farstream2
libtelepathy-logger2
libtotem-plparser17
libtotem0
libubuntuoneui-3.0-1
libunique-3.0-0
libunity-2d-private0
libunity-core-5.0-5
libunity-misc4
libvncserver0
libwacom-common
libwacom2
libwmf0.2-7-gtk
libzeitgeist-1.0-1
light-themes
linux-generic-pae
linux-headers-3.2.0-29-generic-pae
linux-headers-generic-pae
linux-image-3.2.0-29-generic-pae
linux-image-generic-pae
media-player-info
metacity
metacity-common
mousetweaks
nautilus
nautilus-sendto
nautilus-sendto-empathy
nautilus-share
notify-osd
notify-osd-icons
nux-tools
obexd-client
overlay-scrollbar
plymouth-theme-ubuntu-logo
protobuf-compiler
pulseaudio-module-bluetooth
pulseaudio-module-gconf
python-aptdaemon.pkcompat
python-brlapi
python-configglue
python-dateutil
python-dirspec
python-egenix-mxdatetime
python-egenix-mxtools
python-libproxy
python-louis
python-mako
python-markupsafe
python-packagekit
python-protobuf
python-pyatspi2
python-pyinotify
python-speechd
python-twisted-names
python-ubuntuone-client
python-ubuntuone-control-panel
python-ubuntuone-storageprotocol
python-uno
python-zeitgeist
qdbus
qt-at-spi
remmina
remmina-common
remmina-plugin-rdp
remmina-plugin-vnc
rhythmbox
rhythmbox-data
rhythmbox-mozilla
rhythmbox-plugin-cdrecorder
rhythmbox-plugin-magnatune
rhythmbox-plugin-zeitgeist
rhythmbox-plugins
rhythmbox-ubuntuone
seahorse
shotwell
sni-qt
ssh-askpass-gnome
telepathy-gabble
telepathy-haze
telepathy-idle
telepathy-indicator
telepathy-logger
telepathy-mission-control-5
telepathy-salut
thunderbird-gnome-support
totem
totem-common
totem-mozilla
totem-plugins
ubiquity-slideshow-ubuntu
ubuntu-artwork
ubuntu-desktop
ubuntu-docs
ubuntu-mono
ubuntu-sounds
ubuntu-system-service
ubuntu-wallpapers
ubuntu-wallpapers-precise
ubuntuone-client
ubuntuone-client-gnome
ubuntuone-control-panel
ubuntuone-couch
ubuntuone-installer
unity
unity-2d
unity-2d-common
unity-2d-panel
unity-2d-shell
unity-2d-spread
unity-asset-pool
unity-common
unity-greeter
unity-lens-applications
unity-lens-files
unity-lens-music
unity-lens-video
unity-scope-musicstores
unity-scope-video-remote
unity-services
uno-libs3
ure
vino
whois
whoopsie
wodim
xdiagnose
xfonts-mathml
zeitgeist
zeitgeist-core
zeitgeist-datahub
$
// what about configuration files that differ?
// we'll just check files under /etc, though that may not be all such
// files, but should at least be most of them.
// Note that many of these may be specific to the different packages
// installed on the two remixes.  Once the installed packages
// match and removed packages are purged (which removes their
// configuration files), the remaining set of differences may then be
// much smaller.
// A slight bit of differences will be from distinct server ssh keys for
// the openssh-server that I installed.
// I did also add /etc/init/ttyS0.conf, which also differs between them
// - in use of ubuntu vs. xubuntu user.
$ { ssh -ax -l root ubuntu '
> find /etc -follow -type f -exec md5sum '\''{}'\'' '\'';'\'''
> ssh -ax -l root xubuntu '
> find /etc -follow -type f -exec md5sum '\''{}'\'' '\'';'\'''
> } | sort | uniq -u | awk '{print $2;}' | sort -u
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/50_check_unity_support
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/55gnome-session_gnomerc
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/60xbrlapi
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/65compiz_profile-on-session
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/80appmenu
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/80appmenu-gtk3
/etc/X11/app-defaults/XScreenSaver
/etc/X11/app-defaults/XScreenSaver-gl
/etc/X11/app-defaults/XScreenSaver-nogl
/etc/X11/fonts/Type1/xfonts-mathml.scale
/etc/alternatives/default.plymouth
/etc/alternatives/default.plymouth.grub
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/78-EUC-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/78-EUC-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/78-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/78-RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/78-RKSJ-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/78-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/78ms-RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/78ms-RKSJ-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/83pv-RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/90ms-RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/90ms-RKSJ-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/90msp-RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/90msp-RKSJ-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/90pv-RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/90pv-RKSJ-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Add-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Add-RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Add-RKSJ-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Add-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Adobe-Japan1-0
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Adobe-Japan1-1
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Adobe-Japan1-2
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Adobe-Japan1-3
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Adobe-Japan1-4
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Adobe-Japan1-5
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Adobe-Japan1-6
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/EUC-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/EUC-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Ext-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Ext-RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Ext-RKSJ-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Ext-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Hankaku
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Hiragana
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Katakana
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/NWP-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/NWP-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/RKSJ-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/RKSJ-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/Roman
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UCS2-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UCS2-HW-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UCS2-HW-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UCS2-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UTF16-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UTF16-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UTF32-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UTF32-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UTF8-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS-UTF8-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS2004-UTF16-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS2004-UTF16-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS2004-UTF32-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS2004-UTF32-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS2004-UTF8-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJIS2004-UTF8-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJISPro-UCS2-HW-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJISPro-UCS2-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJISPro-UTF8-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJISX0213-UTF32-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJISX0213-UTF32-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJISX02132004-UTF32-H
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/UniJISX02132004-UTF32-V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/V
/etc/alternatives/ghostscript-current/Resource/CMap/WP-Symbol
/etc/alternatives/gnome-text-editor
/etc/alternatives/gnome-text-editor.1.gz
/etc/alternatives/lightdm-gtk-greeter-config-derivative
/etc/alternatives/mp3-decoder
/etc/alternatives/mp3-decoder.1.gz
/etc/alternatives/mpg123
/etc/alternatives/mpg123.1.gz
/etc/alternatives/newt-palette
/etc/alternatives/ssh-askpass
/etc/alternatives/ssh-askpass.1.gz
/etc/alternatives/tclsh
/etc/alternatives/tclsh.1
/etc/alternatives/text.plymouth
/etc/alternatives/x-session-manager
/etc/alternatives/x-session-manager.1.gz
/etc/alternatives/x-terminal-emulator
/etc/alternatives/x-terminal-emulator.1.gz
/etc/alternatives/x-window-manager
/etc/alternatives/x-window-manager.1.gz
/etc/alternatives/yacc
/etc/alternatives/yaccman
/etc/apg.conf
/etc/apparmor.d/local/usr.lib.telepathy
/etc/apparmor.d/usr.lib.telepathy
/etc/apport/crashdb.conf.d/indicator-appmenu-crashdb.conf
/etc/apport/crashdb.conf.d/ubuntuone-client-crashdb.conf
/etc/apport/crashdb.conf.d/unity-crashdb.conf
/etc/apt/sources.list
/etc/apt/sources.list~
/etc/apt/trustdb.gpg
/etc/bash_completion.d/libreoffice.sh
/etc/bash_completion.d/zeitgeist-daemon
/etc/brlapi.key
/etc/brltty/brl-xw-all.txt
/etc/casper.conf
/etc/checkbox.d/checkbox-qt.ini
/etc/checkbox.d/checkbox.ini
/etc/compizconfig/config
/etc/compizconfig/unity.ini
/etc/compizconfig/upgrades/com.canonical.unity.unity.01.upgrade
/etc/compizconfig/upgrades/com.canonical.unity.unity.02.upgrade
/etc/compizconfig/upgrades/com.canonical.unity.unity.03.upgrade
/etc/console-setup/cached.kmap.gz
/etc/cups/ssl/server.crt
/etc/cups/ssl/server.key
/etc/cups/subscriptions.conf
/etc/cups/subscriptions.conf.O
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/com.ubuntu.SystemService.conf
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/com.ubuntu.WhoopsiePreferences.conf
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/org.blueman.Mechanism.conf
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/org.freedesktop.PackageKit-aptd.conf
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/org.freedesktop.SystemToolsBackends.conf
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/org.freedesktop.hostname1.conf
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/org.freedesktop.locale1.conf
/etc/dbus-1/system.d/org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.DateTimeMechanism.conf
/etc/default/whoopsie
/etc/dictionaries-common/words
/etc/firefox/pref/apturl.js
/etc/fonts/conf.avail/59-droid-serif-fonts.conf
/etc/fonts/conf.avail/60-droid-sans-mono-fonts.conf
/etc/fonts/conf.avail/65-droid-sans-fonts.conf
/etc/fonts/conf.d/59-droid-serif-fonts.conf
/etc/fonts/conf.d/60-droid-sans-mono-fonts.conf
/etc/fonts/conf.d/65-droid-sans-fonts.conf
/etc/gimp/2.0/controllerrc
/etc/gimp/2.0/gimprc
/etc/gimp/2.0/gtkrc
/etc/gimp/2.0/menurc
/etc/gimp/2.0/ps-menurc
/etc/gimp/2.0/sessionrc
/etc/gimp/2.0/templaterc
/etc/gimp/2.0/unitrc
/etc/ginn/wishes.xml
/etc/gnome-system-tools/user-profiles.conf
/etc/gnome-vfs-2.0/modules/default-modules.conf
/etc/gnome-vfs-2.0/modules/extra-modules.conf
/etc/gnome/menus.blacklist
/etc/group
/etc/group-
/etc/gshadow
/etc/gshadow-
/etc/gtkmathview/dictionary-debian.xml
/etc/gtkmathview/gtkmathview.conf.xml
/etc/hostname
/etc/hosts
/etc/init.d/failsafe-x
/etc/init.d/whoopsie
/etc/init/failsafe-x.conf
/etc/init/tty1.conf
/etc/init/tty2.conf
/etc/init/tty3.conf
/etc/init/tty4.conf
/etc/init/tty5.conf
/etc/init/tty6.conf
/etc/init/ttyS0.conf
/etc/init/whoopsie.conf
/etc/ld.so.cache
/etc/libao.conf
/etc/libreoffice/psprint.conf
/etc/libreoffice/soffice.sh
/etc/libreoffice/sofficerc
/etc/lightdm/lightdm-gtk-greeter-ubuntu.conf
/etc/lightdm/lightdm-gtk-greeter.conf
/etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf
/etc/mailcap
/etc/motd
/etc/netscsid.conf
/etc/newt/palette
/etc/pam.d/gnome-screensaver
/etc/pam.d/xscreensaver
/etc/passwd
/etc/passwd-
/etc/popularity-contest.conf
/etc/purple/prefs.xml
/etc/sgml/catalog
/etc/sgml/catalog.old
/etc/sgml/docbook-xml.cat
/etc/sgml/docbook-xml.cat.old
/etc/sgml/docbook-xml/4.0/dbgenent.ent
/etc/sgml/docbook-xml/4.1.2/dbgenent.mod
/etc/sgml/docbook-xml/4.2/dbgenent.mod
/etc/sgml/docbook-xml/4.3/dbgenent.mod
/etc/sgml/docbook-xml/4.4/dbgenent.mod
/etc/sgml/docbook-xml/4.5/dbgenent.mod
/etc/sgml/metacity-common.cat
/etc/sgml/sgml-data.cat
/etc/sgml/sgml-data.cat.old
/etc/shadow
/etc/shadow-
/etc/skel/.Xdefaults
/etc/skel/.xscreensaver
/etc/skel/examples.desktop
/etc/sound/events/gnome-2.soundlist
/etc/sound/events/gtk-events-2.soundlist
/etc/ssh/ssh_host_dsa_key
/etc/ssh/ssh_host_dsa_key.pub
/etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key
/etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key.pub
/etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key
/etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key.pub
/etc/ssl/certs/0c31d5ce
/etc/ssl/certs/1c7314a2
/etc/ssl/certs/UbuntuOne-Go_Daddy_CA.pem
/etc/ssl/certs/UbuntuOne-Go_Daddy_Class_2_CA.pem
/etc/ssl/certs/ValiCert_Class_2_VA.pem.dpkg-new
/etc/ssl/certs/dd892c39
/etc/ssl/certs/ssl-cert-snakeoil.pem
/etc/ssl/private/ssl-cert-snakeoil.key
/etc/sudoers
/etc/wodim.conf
/etc/xdg/Thunar/uca.xml
/etc/xdg/Trolltech.conf
/etc/xdg/autostart/blueman.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/bluetooth-applet-unity.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/bluetooth-applet.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/deja-dup-monitor.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/gdu-notification-daemon.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-fallback-mount-helper.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-screensaver.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-settings-daemon.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-sound-applet.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/gnome-user-share.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/gwibber.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/nautilus-autostart.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/orca-autostart.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/telepathy-indicator.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/ubuntuone-launch.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/vino-server.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/xfce4-notes-autostart.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/xfce4-power-manager.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/xfce4-settings-helper-autostart.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/xfce4-volumed.desktop
/etc/xdg/autostart/zeitgeist-datahub.desktop
/etc/xdg/menus/applications.menu
/etc/xdg/menus/gnomecc.menu
/etc/xdg/menus/unity-lens-applications.menu
/etc/xdg/menus/xfce-applications.menu
/etc/xdg/sni-qt.conf
/etc/xdg/ubuntuone/logging.conf
/etc/xdg/ubuntuone/syncdaemon.conf
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/Terminal/terminalrc
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/Thunar/thunarrc
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/Thunar/uca.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/autostart/xfce4-tips-autostart.desktop
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/lightdm/lightdm-gtk-greeter.conf
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/menus/xfce-applications.menu
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/orage/oragerc
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/helpers.rc
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/panel/datetime-7.rc
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/panel/default.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/panel/indicator-5.rc
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar-volman.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-desktop.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-notifyd.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-session.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfprint.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfwm4.xml
/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xsettings.xml
/etc/xdg/xfce4/Xft.xrdb
/etc/xdg/xfce4/helpers.rc
/etc/xdg/xfce4/panel/default.xml
/etc/xdg/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar-volman.xml
/etc/xdg/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts.xml
/etc/xdg/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-power-manager.xml
/etc/xdg/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-session.xml
/etc/xdg/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xsettings.xml
/etc/xdg/xfce4/xinitrc
/etc/xml/catalog
/etc/xml/catalog.old
/etc/xml/docbook-xml.xml
/etc/xml/docbook-xml.xml.old
/etc/xml/rarian-compat.xml
/etc/xml/sgml-data.xml
/etc/xml/sgml-data.xml.old
$
// how do the APT sources look/compare/differ?
$ ssh -ax -l ubuntu ubuntu '
> grep '\''^[   ]*[^    #]'\'' /etc/apt/sources.list'
deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS _Precise Pangolin_ - Release i386  
(20120817.3)]/ precise main restricted
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise main restricted
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security main restricted
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates main restricted
$ ssh -ax -l xubuntu xubuntu '
> grep '\''^[   ]*[^    #]'\'' /etc/apt/sources.list'
deb cdrom:[Xubuntu 12.04.1 LTS _Precise Pangolin_ - Release i386  
(20120817.3)]/ precise main multiverse restricted universe
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise main restricted universe  
multiverse
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-security main  
restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates main restricted  
universe multiverse
$
// So, essentially Xubuntu uses different CD, and adds universe and
// multiverse, but is otherwise the same.
// And, though not exactly trivial, given the similarities and overlap,
// and use of same repository (even if differing in additional sections
// thereof), it is apparently quite feasible to be able to convert from
// one to the other - and in either direction.
// Likely "gottcha"s are specific configurations for the user ID used in
// numerous locations (ubuntu vs. xubuntu user), and any other bits that
// may differ and in fact matter.

More information about the buug mailing list