Many thanks for the informative replies.

I tried Ubuntu in 2008, and back then also received absolutely no assistance
from their own support forums. Same thing this time 'round. I realize mine is a
VERY "newbie" type of inquiry. But I welcome being pointed to a "primer" for new
Linux experimenters.

I installed gnome shell, since that was a little more like what I remember my
desktop looking and feeling like. But I am going to try to use Ubuntu
exclusively for some period of time (a weekend, perhaps?) and see how I feel
about it afterwards.

v12.0.4 immediately detected my home network system. As well as my Canon
wireless printer on that network. THAT was impressive.