Linux has one of the greatest assets of any system IE choice.
Ubuntu uses the Unity desktop by default, some love it, others hate it. I personally enjoy it very much. But it is not for everyone. If you are used to Windows, consider using Kubuntu (Ubuntu with the KDE desktop) which has a more standard (windows like) setup.
There are two main ways to install software on Ubuntu (there are more but two default). The first is with the use of PPAs. A PPA is like a software catalog. If you add it to your system apt will be able to install (and upgrade) software from that PPA. Similar to PPAs are the repositories which are generally for system software and some other packages that are not in PPAs.
The other main way to install software on Ubuntu is through .deb files. These are package files that act like .exe install files on Windows. However, you must open them either with the package manager, dpkg, or with a package manger front end like Gdebi.
There are front end programs that can replace the Command line tools you are using. You should install these on Ubuntu (why they are not default I still don't know).
1. Synaptic - a program that provides a front end for apt-get. To install the program:
Code:
sudo apt-get install synaptic
Once this is installed you will never need to use the apt-get command again (most of the time).
2. Gdebi - a front end for Apt-get and Dpkg that will install .deb files to install gdebi open synaptic package manager and search for gdebi. Once you find it right click the entry and select Mark for Installation. Now simply click the apply button and gdebi will be installed.
3. Y-ppa manger - this program provides a front end for add-apt-repository and can even search, remove, and install all software from PPAs. To install y-ppa manager;
Code:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/y-ppa-manager
Then open synaptic and search for y-ppa-manager and follow the instructions above to install.
4. Ubuntu software center - this is a software installation program. You can use it to search for, install, and purchase software. It is installed by default on Ubuntu.
5. Software & Updates -this is a repository, drivers, and repository mirror manager that allows you to enable/disable/add software repositories to your system. It is preinstalled with Ubuntu.
Now for the filesystem. Linux uses a Unix like filesystem. The only folder you really need to worry about is /home/YOUR_USER_NAME where your user account files are stored. IE your pictures, music, documents, videos etc are stored here. Everywhere else on the system is for the OS and most normal users do not need to mess around there. However, if you want to learn more about the Linux filesystem, take a look here:
http://www.linux.org/threads/filesystem-article-index.6028/
So, if you were to follow these instructions to install TOR on Ubuntu:
https://www.torproject.org/docs/debian.html.en
First you would open Sofware & Updates. From there you would click Other Software --> Add...
There you enter
Code:
deb http://deb.torproject.org/torproject.org Trusty main
Unfortunately there is no gpg front end program so these two command would be in a terminal:
Code:
sudo gpg --keyserver keys.gnupg.net --recv 886DDD89
Code:
sudo gpg --export A3C4F0F979CAA22CDBA8F512EE8CBC9E886DDD89 | sudo apt-key add -
with that done just open synaptic and click refresh the sofware lists update and you can search for and install TOR
TOR is not a good example of how to install sofware without using the command line. Almost all other sofware can be installed via just y-ppa-manager and synaptic.
This system may seem confusing but in the long run it is very efficient. Generally this is because the software on your system is managed by the package manager, apt, and when you update your system, it will update your software too. (if an update is available).
By the way. These failings are of Ubuntu. IE other Linux distributions have more gui front ends for their programs. (some arguably better then others. ) Most Linux users install extra front-end programs like synaptic, gdebi, y-ppa-manager and others. Still, some advanced users prefer the command line since is is faster and provides better responses.
I do agree with you though. It would be nice if Canonical would improve their package management system. A better Software Center, synaptic installed by default, and a ppa manager by default would be awesome.