How to install VNC server on Ubuntu Server 12.04

http://rbgeek.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/how-to-install-vnc-server-on-ubuntu-server-12-04/

http://www.havetheknowhow.com/Configure-the-server/Install-VNC.html

http://coddswallop.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/ubuntu-12-04-precise-pangolin-complete-vnc-server-setup/


http://kb.realvnc.com/questions/196/VNC+Server+in+Virtual+Mode+does+not+start+correctly+on+Ubuntu+12.04

http://askubuntu.com/questions/160160/unity-launcher-doesnt-appear-in-vnc-session

http://askubuntu.com/questions/130110/tightvncserver-on-ubuntu-12-04-server-with-ubuntu-desktop-installed-no-unity 

has the following instructions on changing the xstartup file in the case where unity desktop is installed, it worked like a charm for me since I also installed the gui on my ubuntu 12.04 server, after modifying it as follows, I could ssh in and start vncserver and then launch realvnc from a mac osx to connect to the ubuntu server with a separate unity gui desktop. (thanks teeks99)

Edit ~/.vnc/xstartup to read:

#!/bin/sh

# Change "GNOME" to "KDE" for a KDE desktop, or "" for a generic desktop
MODE="GNOME"

#Uncommment this line if using Gnome and your keyboard mappings are incorrect.
#export XKL_XMODMAP_DISABLE=1

# Load X resources (if any)
if [ -e "$HOME/.Xresources" ]
then
        xrdb "$HOME/.Xresources"
fi

# Try a GNOME session, or fall back to KDE
if [ "GNOME" = "$MODE" ]
then
        if which gnome-session >/dev/null
        then
                echo starting gnome
                gnome-session &
        else
                MODE="KDE"
        fi
fi

# Try a KDE session, or fall back to generic
if [ "KDE" = "$MODE" ]
then
        if which startkde >/dev/null
        then
                startkde &
        else
                MODE=""
        fi
fi

# Run a generic session
if [ -z "$MODE" ]
then
        xsetroot -solid "#DAB082"
        x-terminal-emulator -geometry "80x24+10+10" -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
        x-window-manager &
fi