"Debian GNU/Linux Installation Guide" needs examples

[Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net>]

This is a rewrite of my original post after having received input 
directly and indirectly related to my problems.

I wish to have an uncluttered install of Debian 10 with MATE desktop.
It is my understanding that when MATE is selected, the installer begins 
with mate-desktop-environment. Reading 
[https://packages.debian.org/buster/mate-desktop-environment] indicates 
that not installing "suggested" will achieve my *specified* goal. 
Selected packages will later be installed using apt-get.

My procedure was:
	Copy Buster {10.0} DVD1 ISO to flash drive with dd
	When booted chose menu item "Expert" install
	Press <Tab> to bring up installers boot command
             "/install.amd/vmlinuz priority=low vga=788
              initrd=/install.amd/initrd.gz --- "
        Append  "recommends=false" in 2 trials
	   Trial 1 - without removing " --- "
	   Trial 2 - after removing " --- "
	Press <Enter> and answer questions as they appear

The result in both cases was a running system with the *UNWANTED* 
packages fully present and operating.

To eliminate the possibility of a faulty copy of the Debian 10 iso, I 
tried the same with a physical DVD1 of Debian 8.6.
The same unacceptable result.

How do I get what I want.
TIA