This is a rewrite of my original post after having received input
directly and indirectly related to my problems.
I wish to have an uncluttered install of Debian 10 with MATE desktop.
It is my understanding that when MATE is selected, the installer begins
with mate-desktop-environment. Reading
[https://packages.debian.org/buster/mate-desktop-environment] indicates
that not installing "suggested" will achieve my *specified* goal.
Selected packages will later be installed using apt-get.
My procedure was:
Copy Buster {10.0} DVD1 ISO to flash drive with dd
When booted chose menu item "Expert" install
Press <Tab> to bring up installers boot command
"/install.amd/vmlinuz priority=low vga=788
initrd=/install.amd/initrd.gz --- "
Append "recommends=false" in 2 trials
Trial 1 - without removing " --- "
Trial 2 - after removing " --- "
Press <Enter> and answer questions as they appear
The result in both cases was a running system with the *UNWANTED*
packages fully present and operating.
To eliminate the possibility of a faulty copy of the Debian 10 iso, I
tried the same with a physical DVD1 of Debian 8.6.
The same unacceptable result.
How do I get what I want.
TIA
