Access GUI on Amazon Ubuntu instance

GUI_on_ubuntu.sh

#==========================================================================================================
# Access GUI of machine

# 1. Install the Ubuntu Desktop we'll be connecting to
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y ubuntu-desktop

# 2. Install a server that will allow remote machines to connect
sudo apt-get install -y x11vnc
# Configure the password for the server (alabaster)
x11vnc -storepasswd
# Install some other compenents
# (Note: When prompted, choose "lightdm")
sudo apt-get install -y gnome-core gnome-session-fallback
vim ~/.vnc/xstartup
# MANUAL: change ~/.vnc/xstartup to:
#-----------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/sh
def
export XKL_XMODMAP_DISABLE=1
unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS

gnome-panel &
gnome-settings-daemon &
metacity &
nautilus &
gnome-terminal &
#-----------------------------------------------------
# MANUAL: change Security Group settings to allow incoming on ports 5900-5910.

# 3. Run the server
sudo x11vnc -xkb -noxrecord -noxfixes -noxdamage -display :0 -auth /var/run/lightdm/root/:0 -usepw

# 4. MANUAL: On your local Windows machine, install "tightvnc"
# 5. MANUAL: Run TightVNC with the IP of your remote Ubuntu machine
#==========================================================================================================

I'm having screen refresh issues, so playing with the -noxdamage and -noxfixes options might be necessary:

http://www.karlrunge.com/x11vnc/x11vnc_opts.html

Or this:

https://askubuntu.com/questions/689602/disable-all-visual-effects-in-ubuntu-15-10/689612