Run the CD as live with out an install. Before you boot up the CD, hook up the
external HD. This will test out if all the bells and wistles are in working
order before you install. Then at least you know if there is going to be some
issues to work out.
What program to you mean to delete? There is one you cannot delete and that
would be Firefox. FF is tied into the kernel and that would do some bad mojo.
Adding a deleting programs are very simple to complex. It depends if you are
installing a program from source or known as TAR file. Here is a link to basicly
install any thing.
http://monkeyblog.org/ubuntu/installing/