The next step is to upgrade to the latest software.  There will be many changes
since the initial DVD was cut., bug fixes, etc.

I tend to do everything from a shell when possible.  So you need to launch a
terminal.  The topmost icon in the launcher (left side of screen), is the
'search' button.  Click it, on the bottom, the 2nd button selects 'applications'.
Go to 'Installed', select 'more' and then search for terminal icon. Click it
and you should get a gnome terminal on the screen.  While it is running its
icon will appear on the launcher.  If you right-click on that launcher icon
it will allow you to select "Lock to launcher".  Do that and it will remain
on the launcher when you close the terminal.  Remember to do this with any
application that you intend to use frequently.

Now we get to the meat.  Most of the following steps require sysadmin privileges.
This can be achieved by prefixing any command with "sudo".  This has effect for
the one command.  So, from within the terminal do:

$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

You will see a LOT of activity, this is normal.
If you are running a 64 bit system and will need to do any work with 32 bit code,
you might want to do:

$ sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

before doing the upgrade.  If unsure, you can always do it later.

Next you want to add any packages you might need/want of a general nature that
don't come with the base system.  I like to add:

$ sudo apt-get install emacs			<< the ONLY editor
$ sudo apt-get install g++			<< for c++
$ sudo apt-get install binutils-doc
$ sudo apt-get install cmake			<< many ham packages build with it

$ sudo apt-get install xfce4-terminal		<< I like this better than gnome-terminal

# you need an accurate timebase for logbook, digital modes, etc.
$ sudo apt-get install ntp ntp-doc

# you need various code control systems to fetch source for ham projects:
$ sudo apt-get install subversion
$ sudo apt-get install git-all			<< this will install apache2
$ sudo apt-get install mercurial

# the equivilent of hyperterm in the 'nix world:
$ sudo apt-get install minicom
$ sudo apt-get install picocom

# wine is a program that allows you to run SOME windows programs on ubuntu.
# I run the Buckmaster HamCall DVD callsign database with it:
$ sudo apt-get install wine

# useful if you use any audio connections to your rig:
$ sudo apt-get install jackd2 libjack-jackd2-dev portaudio19-dev
$ sudo apt-get install jack-tools meterbridge libasound2-doc portaudio19-doc
$ sudo apt-get install paprefs

# to get a handle on serial ports, debug, etc.:
$ sudo apt-get install hal-info
$ sudo apt-get install setserial

# wireshark allows you to snoop tcp/network traffic, VERY useful if any of
# your rig control software uses the network:
$ sudo apt-get install wireshark wireshark-doc

# I can't believe they ship the base ubuntu without rsh/ssh enabled:
$ sudo apt-get install openssh-server
$ sudo apt-get install rssh

# virtualbox can be handy, google it:
$ sudo apt-get install virtualbox virtualbox-dbg virtualbox-guest-additions-iso
$ sudo apt-get install virtualbox-guest-utils virtualbox-guest-x11 virtualbox-qt
$ sudo apt-get install testdrive-cli testdrive-common  testdrive-gtk