algernon's HOWTO for a minimal desktop:
Step 1: Install emacs.
Step 2: Launch emacs.
Step 3: Done.
Installs and starts up faster than most desktops, includes an editor, a music player, IRC client, jabber client, mail/news client, a debugger, a shell, tons of documentation and everything you need at your fingertips!
Yes, you can watch movies from within emacs too.
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