To watch DVDs in Ubuntu is a fairly simple process.

To do it, you need to download Automatix 2 here. Once it is done downloading you need to double click on the icon it placed on your desktop, and then click the button that says "Install Package". Then wait until the package is installed. After that open Automatix up (Applications >> System Tools >> Automatix then enter your password and hit enter). Then click the "Yes" button when you see the warning message.

After that, click on the Codecs and Plugins. Next check the box next to AUD-DVD and Multimedia Codecs. Then click the "Start" button that is close to the top of the Automatix window. After that it will download, and install, the codecs that you choose. When it is done you can close Automatix.

To watch the movie do the following: Applications >> Sound and Video >> Movie Player. Then click on Movie, and the play DVD option. Then your movie should start up :)

To install Beryl, you’ll first want to add the following line to your repository list: deb http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org feisty main. Before clicking reload, open a new terminal (Applications > Accessories >Terminal) and type wget http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/root@lupine.me.uk.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add

Once you’ve done that, you can go back to Synaptic and install the Beryl, Beryl-manager, and Emerald-themes packages. Next, type beryl-manager in a new terminal window, and your desktop will be 3D. If you have problems with the installation, check the Beryl Wiki.

To do this you have to open the Applications menu, click Add/Remove, then change the Show: dropdown to read “All available applications.” Search for “Restricted” and check the box next to the package that comes up. This will install support for Flash, Java, some closed audio and video codecs, and TrueType fonts. On previous versions of Linux, installing this stuff was really hard, and sometimes you didn't even get rewarded for your efforts!

Install Nvidia GPU Drivers
Installing Nvidia’s closed-source 3D-accelerated drivers is easy with Feisty. Go to System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager and search for the nvidia-glx package. Right-click the selection and select “Mark for installation.” You’ll be prompted with a list of dependencies, which you’ll need to approve for the application to work. Click Apply to download and install the app. Then open a new terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and run this command: sudo nvidia-xconfig –add-argb-glx-visuals; follow the prompts and reboot.

Install ATI GPU Drivers
Installing ATI drivers is a little more complex. First, you’ll need to disable the Composite option in your xorg.conf. Open a terminal and type sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf. In the gedit window, scroll to the section labeled Extensions and change the Option “Composite” line from “Enabled” to “Disabled”. Then in your already opened terminal window, type the following six commands:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-$(uname –r)
sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx
sudo depmod –a
sudo aticonfig –initial
sudo aticonfig –overlay-type=Xv

You’ll need to reboot your system to enable the driver.

Hello.

To get started installing Linux (Ubuntu Linux) you probably want to backup all of your data beforehand. After that (or while you are backuping) you will want to start downloading Ubuntu from the downloads page.¹ Download Feisty Fawn (7.04)

After you do that and your files are backed up, and the ISO image is downloaded, you will need to burn the ISO image to the CD or DVD that you are going to use. To do this download the Windows program ISO Recorder and install it. Then use ISO Recorder to burn the ISO image (it should be named ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso). You can burn it to a CD or DVD.

Then once you have done that make sure ALL of the files you do not want to lose are backed up, then put the CD/DVD in your CD drive and reboot your computer. When the Ubuntu Option screen comes up, select the first option (it should be something like "Install or Try Ubuntu"). Then wait while Ubuntu loads the LiveCD. When that is done double click on the icon on the desktop called "Install". Once that is loaded choose all of the options you want (such as your language, the keyboard layout, your username, computer name, etc). After that part is done, you will need to decide how you wish to partition. If you want to use the whole hard drive click the option that says "Use entire hard drive".² Then click next. 

After 20-40 minutes Ubuntu will be Installed, it will ask you if you want to reboot or continue using the LiveCD. Choose reboot.

Viola! If everything went alright your desktop will be all ready to use! You should see my articles on updating your graphic drivers, installing video codecs, managing your music, instant messaging, installing Frostwire (a filesharing program), and installing the window manager Beryl (eyecandy).

¹Even if you have an AMD64 processor it is wise to go with the 32 bit version because more applications are available for 32 bit systems.

²If you do not want to use your whole hard drive, select manual instead.