Is Ubuntu difficult?

[Aetheist]

I just Installed Ubuntu two weeks ago. No, I am not giving up, just wondering: why evrything is required jumping over the head? It was not free, but so streightforward and easy in Windows!

1. It is more difficult to install a program - OK it is justified! It is intentionally so, It give better controll over viruses and spiware. So instead of just clicking an .exe file one use Sinaptic. But why it can not be automated? It always seems that an additional package is missing. It can be found, but requires research.

2. After programs are installed, one need to use launcher to create an icon on the desktop. Why it can not be automated?

3. I still can not fine proper icons for Kmail, Krusader and Skype. I am sure that eventually I will find them (for now I am using apples), but why aren't they installed by defoult?

4. When I click MP3 file I am getting an arror message. I installed Xmms and it started working if I drag a file into it - but... Why out of the box Ubuntu does not play .mp3s?

5. Skype is installed but is not working! Sound does not work! Why?

Questions:

a) Am I just unlucky or is it typical?

b) Is there another distro which works out of box?

c) If not, is it wto more weeks of tuning it up and everything will work or I always will be in search for solutions?

[infiniphunk]

Sounds to me that most of the discomfort you are having is not Ubuntu-specific, but rather just general Windows to Linux user discomfort. Your best bet is the Ubuntu Forum, only because that's where you're you'll get the best support from an excellent and friendly user community.
Overall tho, Ubuntu has to be one of the easiest distros out there for a new user. hang in there and you will get it!

[Aetheist]

Thank you for answering! I do post questions on Ubuntu forums and I am getting excellent suggestions. I placed my question here specifically to find out - is there a distro which works out of box for all the eccential needs? Is there an easy Linux?

[je_fro]

Ubuntu is about as easy as it gets...but some people say Mepis is even easier.

[Parcival]

Well, there is also Linspire (former Lindows) that tries to be as close to Windows as possible. I have also made good experiences with SuSE because in SuSE a lot of things work with point-and-click. SuSE has YaST that is comparable to the System Settings in Windows and may be easier to handle for a newbie than editing some obscure config files with a texteditor in Ubuntu.

Your problems look like the general problems every average newbie has with Linux, we all started out that way, too. Once you have setup your installation of your prefered distribution to your desire, Linux requires little maintenance work, far less than Windows.

[DarkDexter]

I give my vote for Mepis, almost always works out of box without hassles. I have ste up Mepis for alot of Windows n00bs (With windows icon sets, window decorations, and other general theme things like that) and they do great. Most think I'm some genius making my own personal windows :p !

And no... I'm not claming credit to them that I did it all.. but in all honest they dont get the idea that they are using something not made by a company :D

VIVA LA OPEN SOURCE REVOLUTION!

[bburton]

1. It is more difficult to install a program - OK it is justified! It is intentionally so, It give better controll over viruses and spiware. So instead of just clicking an .exe file one use Sinaptic. But why it can not be automated? It always seems that an additional package is missing. It can be found, but requires research.

The next version of Ubuntu will allow double-clicking file installation (using a thing called udebi). I personally enjoy having synaptic take care of everything.


2. After programs are installed, one need to use launcher to create an icon on the desktop. Why it can not be automated?

Not everyone likes having desktop icons placed automatically... an easy way for you to put icons on your desktop is to go into the Applications menu and right-click the program, then select "add this launcher to desktop."


4. When I click MP3 file I am getting an arror message. I installed Xmms and it started working if I drag a file into it - but... Why out of the box Ubuntu does not play .mp3s?

Because installing unlicensed implementations of those formats is potentially illegal in some countries (including the USA). Read the Ubuntu Restricted Formats (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RestrictedFormats) page for more info. It is easy to install these codecs however. Check out Easy Ubuntu (http://easyubuntu.freecontrib.org/) for more info.


a) Am I just unlucky or is it typical?

I've never met anyone who hasn't ever had computer problems. If you know of any, please let me know.


b) Is there another distro which works out of box?

Ubuntu does work out of the box. If by "works out of the box" you mean "has support for non-free software and formats," then I recommend you try MEPIS (http://www.mepis.com/). I have never personally used it, but I hear it installs non-free software by default. Also, I just have to say this: does Windows work "out of the box?" Last time I installed Windows I spend hours hunting down driver CDs and installing software before the computer was even useful. After a fresh install of Ubuntu, virtually ALL of my hardware worked out of the box, including my printer and wireless. I had firefox, e-mail, games, and a complete office productivity suite preinstalled. I never even had to double click an .exe. ;)

I strongely suggest you visit the Ubuntu Forums (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/). Be sure to read everything in the Absolute Beginner Forum (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=73), and possibly some HOWTOs (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=100), many of which detail how to remedy many of the problems you seem to be having.