These are the best and easiest instructions I've found so far for creating a Linux bootable USB Flash Drive

http://pendrivelinux.com/2007/01/02/all-in-one-usb-dsl

Substitute USBDSL.zip with other Distros to match your preference.
Such as: USBEdgy.zip

See this link for more Linux options
http://pendrivelinux.com/

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/nox

Mount alternate installer CD instead of internet
sudo apt-cdrom add

To install the full Gnome desktop
sudo aptitude updatesudo aptitude install ubuntu-desktop

To start Gnome
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start

http://cutlersoftware.com/ubuntuinstall/

Installing software with the terminal

• apt-get
• aptitude

Installing a package manually (.deb, .rpm, .tar.gz, .package, klik:// ? .cmg, .sh, .bin, .exe, ...)

• Source Package (.tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.bz, ...)
• Klik package (klik:// ? .cmg)

GUI

• synaptic
• (.deb)
• (.rpm)
• Themes (.tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.bz, ...)
• Source Package (.tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.bz, ...)
• Klik package (klik:// ? .cmg)

This tutorial will show you how to remove KDE, Gnome and return to pure xfce

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/purexfce

To install GUI

Code:
sudo aptitude install xorg
then either one of gdm, xdm, or kdm.

Code:
sudo aptitude install gdm/xdm/kdm
then either xubuntu-desktop, ubuntu-desktop, kubuntu-desktop. Or xfce/gnome/kde/openbox/etc I use xfce so I did.

Code:
sudo aptitude install xfce4

The difference between xfce and xubuntu is that xubuntu comes with more apps. I think the same applies to gnome/ubuntu kde/kubuntu.

If you decide to go the Xubuntu route, but choose to install the xfce4 package make sure to installing thunar alongside it, otherwise you'll have no file browser.Edit: Although xfce4 might install Thunar automatically, it's probably safer to install the xubuntu-desktop metapackage.
The command to reconfigure the x-server is

Code:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg