Launch App without X-Windows

["Stephen Yorke" <syorke@yorkes.net>]

Hello all and thanks in advance to any replies I get to this message.
 
I have a couple of things...
 
What I want to do is be able to launch applications without actually loading X.  What I mean is, I want to load RDesktop or Firefox or some other application and without actually having a desktop environment have the applications still launch for me.
 
1. What necessary pieces would I absolutely have to have in place?  (Window Manager, Video stuff, Mouse, Keyboard, ETC)
2. Any recommended links to read about what I actually want to do?
 
Thanks a lot,
Stephen