I am trying to build a minimal vmware image to use for private browsing (also called a browser appliance). I have tried using images for other small linux distros, most of them are either too heavy (I do not want any other functionality than browsing and downloading) or outdated (DSL, various browser appliance images at vmware official site).

I have downloaded the minimal Ubuntu install image (12MB) and was hoping to select only the needed pakcages while installing but it was not asking for my choices anywhere. 

I am new to the command line installation and I would be thankful if someone could point out how to install only needed packages, and what are the bare-minimum packages to browse internet (I plan to use only firefox and transmission)