Really not sure. I've always just done it with tasksel. If "apt install xubuntu-core" gives the same result, then there's no need to install tasksel first.
These types of setups have their uses! I have tried to achieve similar setups in the past using a Fedora VM running VNC server and a Chromebook running VNC client. One pain point that you might not expect is how the client handles the Crtl, Alt, and Windows key modifiers. Browser-based clients especially will not pass these through, and thust interfacing with the remote system is usually not as convenient as many newcomers expect.
Using x2go means you get a persistent desktop: your apps are left running when you close the session, and you can resume where you left off when you reconnect.
I appreciate the general sentiment in having a reproducible work environment. But I must ask if the complexity of running and tunneling X is needed -- what desktop software are you running in this environment?
Same here. Works great. I've used x2go before years ago, and it works fine but it's just over-complicated IMO. xrdp is simple, easy to setup, and just use and RDP client.
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* Start with an Ubuntu Server base
* Install tasksel: sudo apt install tasksel
* Install the Xubuntu core desktop: sudo tasksel install xubuntu-core
* Install XRDP: sudo apt install xrdp
Then two small changes to make XRDP work:
* sed -i 's/allowed_users=console/allowed_users=anybody/g' /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config
* echo "startxfce4" > ~/.Xclients
Give the machine a reboot and you're good to go. You can log in with an RDP client and continue configuring as you see fit.
That's a bad advice and it really has no place in this article. Please leave your automatic update in place.