There are many Linux resources in addition to the web. There are several Linux
for Dummies type of books which are not geared to the geek.

Linux has had the rep of being for geeks, but it is time that it lost that
image. It is user friendly, but it just it isn't a clone of Windows. In other
words, you need to forget about the Windows way of doing things and embrace the
Linux way.

I for one do not like the commandline. I do everything that I can to avoid. I am
a lousy typist and hate repeating myself by re-typing (and yes I know the
shortcuts). I have an even worse memory so that if I don't use it every day then
forget it quickly. So I try to do everything via the GUI if I can. When you go
for help on the net it is often the first thing they tell you to do which for me
is a waste of time. The reason that newbies have trouble researching how to
solve a problem is that there are many helpful Linux gurus who only know the
commandline. They think that it is always faster and more powerful, but this
isn't always the case in my experience. If you don't know what you are doing, it
could also be a faster way to mess up your computer. There are graphical tools
for almost everything now and they are usually quite intuitive.

The differences between Linux and Windows are subtle at the GUI level, but
extreme at the more basic levels. That is why I try to get new users to use the
GUI whenever possible. Many Windows users have never used the commandline. It
was what I cut my teeth on so it is easier for somebody like me. Even then, I
try to avoid it because it is labor intensive, IMO.

If time is the issue for you then perhaps learning a new OS is more than you can
deal with. There is a learning curve involved with learning anything new. I
don't think that it is a steep as many people make it out to be. It is more
about adopting a new mindset and not thinking that it is hard merely because it
is different from what you have done in the past.

Let's start with the assumption that many people make, it is easier in Windows.
Windows is not easy. It gets many users into situations that they cannot resolve
on their own. People seem to cut that OS more slack than it deserves by thinking
that problems with Windows are just accepted as part of the package. If your
hardware doesn't work you find something that works. If your system is messed up
and you can't fix it you re-format and start over or get someone else to do it
if you can't. When it is fixed you know that it will break again, but seem to be
patient when it does.

Because Linux is unfamiliar and people who try to help are not in your immediate
circle then you are more tempted to blame the OS and think that the OS isn't
good because you encountred a problem that is not obvious to you. If this
happens more than once or twice you are tempted to give up, wondering what you
have got yourself into. Most of us have been there at some point. There is light
at the end of the tunnel.

If you have returned to Windows take stock of the situation. Watch for how much
productivity you lose when you do incessant re-boots and maintenance. Watch for
how much time you are devoting to other OS-related issues instead of doing what
you really want to do. Look at the menu and the system tray and how they are
structured and how quickly they become full and disorganized. Watch for how your
system slows down over time and the hourglass as you are waiting for something.
Remember these frustrations and then think of giving Linux another shot.

Linux is a big world. Ubuntu is only one of hundreds of distros. It may not be
the distro for you. There are easier ones to learn and there are harder ones. It
is in the middle of the pack. If you decide to get back on the horse, consider
using one that is more user friendly such as SimplyMEPIS 8, Mint, Mandriva or
PCLOS. What Ubuntu does offer is the largest community and the biggest
repositories. Once you get your feet wet with another distro then perhaps you
will give it another try.

There are distros out there that test my ability and patience such as Arch or
Gentoo. Everyone can say the same thing. Each distro has its niche. You may have
just started with the distro that tested yours.