The appliances I've used boot to a "usage" page that lists URLs and what's accessible via each URL. One of the URLs listed on the usage page of the core, for example, is an URL for Webmin. Access that URL by navigating to it with the browser on separate machine or virtual machine. The screenshots you've seen are probably produced by following the URLs on these initial pages.

A quick look around google yielded this:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

looks about right to me. My hope is that will install Gnome and all dependencies.

Firstly, TKL appliances are Server appliances, designed to do server work. As such they are optimised for best possible performance for the specific role they fulfill (only include files and services required for configuration and the job at hand) and not a lot more. Basically they are intended to be run as headless servers - ie no monitor, mouse or keyboard connected. Thus there is no need for a resource hungry GUI/desktop to be included.

If you wish to configure your appliance, then everything you can do at the local commandline, can be done via a web interface. Webmin is probably the best bet for you if you are not comfortable with the commandline. Webmin can be accessed in a web browser (that has a network connection to the appliance) using the address documented in the Configuration Console screen. From your post above, I would suggest you try https://192.168.1.16:12321

FYI the easiest way to get files in and out of the appliances is by using SFTP (a secure FTP connection). To do this you will need an FTP client (such as Filezilla) and use the IP or hostname and the port 22.

If you need/want a GUI/desktop setup then TKL Core may not what you are after. One of the other Linux distros may be better suited to your purpose (such as Ubuntu).

OTOH If you are sure TKL is what you want but you still want a GUI/desktop then you'll need to sort out your networking issues first. Seeing as you can ping IPs but not domain names, I'd guess your problem is DNS resolution. Assuming you used Config Console to set a static IP, ensure that you have a nameserver set. If you aren't running a local DNS, use the IP of your router (they usually pass through DNS to your ISP's nameservers).

Once you've got that sorted, then Rick's directions should work to install GNOME (and apps as Rick suggests above), although you don't need the sudo (default user in TKL is root so is already a superuser). Also you will need to update the package database first too. So at the commandline type:

apt-get update
apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

I still think that its probably a bit resource intensive and contains many more apps than what you'd want for a server. I'd consider exploring the option of an LXDE/OpenBox desktop instead. Another thing you may well find, unlike Win and OSX server editions, many of the Linux server apps, do not have GUI config options available (well not that I've found anyway). So even with a GUI, I suspect you will probably find yourself having to use a text editor (or Webmin) to configure many things anyway.

Hope that helps.

@Rick I deleted all your duplicate posts - hope thats ok!?

Jed's instructions should work fine.

I downloaded the core appliance.  Started it up with VMware and selected NAT neworking choice.  I believe Bridge Adaptor should work fine as well to be able to access the internet package repostories with apt-get.

But perhaps a better idea would be an optimised Desktop Appliance.  I'd love to have a ready to go Ubuntu Desktop that I had personalised and could carry around with me from site to site.  If you move from one site to another, you frequently find you need to install your favorite tools, ide, etc...  and it takes a long time to get runing.  If you had a Desktop Appliance, all you need at the site is vmware/ virtual box, etc... and run your own desktop - even if it's a Windows only shop (as many large banks tend to be).