Ubuntu help needed

[GD]

I am using ubuntu for the first time and I want some help. How can I make the mp3 and wav formats work? can I use real player or any other popular media player for ubuntu? How can I run avi, vob and mp4 files? thanks in advance.

[Xero]

From the command line, use:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

I believe that's the majority, if not all of the codecs, along with stuff like Flash, Java, Microsoft Fonts, etc.

It's in a disabled repository but I think it enables it (or gives you the option to) when you use the command.

Real Player needs to be installed separately (technically you just need the codecs but Ubuntu doesn't provide them by themselves for proprietary reasons I suppose). I think the package/command is:

sudo apt-get install realplayer

For DVD playback, it's two commands:

sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2
sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh

While you're at it, you may as well install VLC:

sudo apt-get install VLC

Also, let me say don't get frustrated and try to stick with it. Switching to Linux (currently running Arch) was probably the best thing I've done with my computers, but I went through many uninstalls/reinstalls/dual boots of Windows before I felt comfortable enough to ditch Windows all together (something you may or may not do).

[GD]

I can't even find the command line

[Xero]

Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal

An alternate way to do this is use synaptic, which should be System - Administration - Synaptic, which brings up a GUI for all the packages. It's a longer process but easier if you're not familiar/not comfortable with the command line.

If you use Synaptic, you need to go to Settings -> Repositories within it and enable the other repositories (main, restricted, multiverse and universe need to be checked, I forget which are on by default).

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Intrepid

^ That Wiki has a lot of info to get a lot set up.