A text mode UI menu to greet the user
rather than presenting a user with a login prompt have a simple menu on bootup that allows starting X, triggering an instant backup, switching off etc.
Whiteboard
needs to be a deb package depending on dialog - maybe one per server config
menu layout
Welcome to your Libertus <application> Server
1 Start the desktop
2 Backup the server now
3 Go to a console
4 See some stats (maybe htop or iptraf)
0 Shut down
maybe something like this:
dialog --nocancel --backtitle "The Open Learning Centre" --menu "Your Libertus Cognatio" 0 0 0 "1" "Start the desktop" "2" "Backup Now" "3" "Server Load" "4" "Network Activity" "5" "Help" "0" "Switch off"
That is neat and simple. I like it.
The one item on that list that needs further analysis and development is "Backup Now"... Perhaps a separate Blueprint, and a day on an MOTU course ;-)