Today is my first full day EVER in a working HD installed Ubuntu.
I never got past the Password Page corruption (video mode/drivers?)
for years. That seemed to be a widespread not so common problem that
is finally fixed. (Live CD/DVDs worked great here.)
That makes me a total new user.... (Even though I've tried
since ver 5,6, or 7?)

I checked the WEB, and they said to use the Synaptic Package Manager
to upgrade programs. (I noticed FF was 3.6.3)
I used the automatic setting Mark All Upgrades,
and waited for results.
It D/Led something like 245 packages, (set to install).
I guess this is a warning to all new users to do that.

What else do I need to do right away to a "bare metal HD" install?

With Windows, I'd have to add all sorts of stuff to protect the system, etc.
I pass GRC.com "Shields Up" with flying colors.

I'll get around to getting productivity apps later, if needed...