I'm new to linux, I've windows 7 installed side by side with Ubuntu 12.04. I want to use Ubuntu for the sole purpose of programming and for that I've already removed many programs which I don't need For eg. Evolution, Media Players, etc.

Things I need for survival are:

1. Chrome


2. Python


3. GCC


4. PDF reader


5. Vim


6. Synaptic Package Manager

I seriously don't need anything else, but while removing some programs for eg. "The sound recorder", it says it'll remove "The Ubuntu Desktop system" as well, is it safe to remove it?

The Window Manager is still heavy on the graphics and there are still a lot of programs which I don't use and never will.

Is there any way to make it less graphic intensive like for example "Windows classic mode", and remove the heavy graphic versions all together.

Also I don't want to start from scratch as I've a slow internet connection and downloading packages and updates again will take a lot of time.

By graphics heavy I want to add the following as well

1. The touch pad is slow, I don't know slow or not smooth.