gdebi is a simple to tool install local deb files. It will use apt to figure if the dependencies can be satified and what additonal software is required. It needs a vte and python-apt from ubuntu/dapper to work. vte needs a patch to make it not close file descriptors, python-apt needs some new features. It will need root to install the deb, and it has a non-root non-root bit to view the deb and a « non-interactive » bit that is exec()ed with gksudo.

On [EN] Ubuntu Wiki : Ubuntu Newbie Install & Addon Zip | ThirdPartyPackages | PackageManagement (look particularly at this) | UniversePackages | RestrictedFormats | Advanced package-management with apt-get | PackageManagementHowTo – Ubuntu Wiki | SkypeHowto | XMMS

Anatomy of a well-intentioned Linux Troll – Ubuntu Forums

UniversePackageWithoutDesktopFile

this document is designed to guide a Windows or Mac user in making the crossover to Linux

NetworkManager advertises « Linux Networking made Easy ». See Ubuntu Wiki page on the subject. Further reading include WiFiHowto (via) | also GTKWifi (via)

doc:plf

HowTo: Web embedded media without firefox plugins. – Ubuntu Forums

Ubuntu Wiki [FR] : easyubuntu

applications:internet_et_reseaux