Open a terminal and run it from there, this will give you some
feedback about what is happening. If you can spot it and fix it great,
otherwise post the error back here.

OK this proves just how much of a noob I am. I haven't a clue how to do that.

Terminal is likely under Accessories in your menu. In the terminal type:
blender and press enter. Don't use capitals as it is case sensitive. It will
launch blender, but what you need to do is look at the terminal window and
report any error messages back here. If you close the terminal it will close
Blender so keep it open until you get what you need.

There is nothing wrong with being a noob. It is just a starting point and we
all have to start somewhere. We are thankful that people are trying Linux
and willing to help.

Well that was easy but no blender here is what I got Greek to me

lorijt@lorijt-desktop:~$ blender
Compiled with Python version 2.6.4.
Checking for installed Python... got it!
X Error of failed request: BadRequest (invalid request code or no such
operation)
Major opcode of failed request: 135 (GLX)
Minor opcode of failed request: 19 (X_GLXQueryServerString)
Serial number of failed request: 29
Current serial number in output stream: 29
lorijt@lorijt-desktop:~$

Do you have a 3D card? You need an open GL graphics card to use a 3D
application like Blender. If you have a 3D card perhaps you need a driver
for it that will take advantage of it.

It's A Radeon 9700 PRO. The only drivers I could find for were the catalyst
drivers I got them through synaptic right after I installed Karmic because there
were artifacts on the screen everytime I moved something. They were the only
drivers I could find for debian and got rid of the artifacts. I have the Invida
vid card that was in the other PC not as good but did run blender if that is the
problem. Blender is graphics intensive so the higher end the card is the better.
I have another good card but it's a Winfast by M$

The winfast is invidia also shouda looked it up instead of listening to the
friend who gave it to me.

Your card should run open GL fine. It is likely that you need a driver that
will manage this. Go to System, Administration, Hardware Drivers and see if
they have a recommended restricted driver. If so, install that. It should
enable Blender to run. Depending on whether the driver needs to be compiled
or not, you may have to re-boot to take advantage of it. If it is
pre-compiled it should work fine as is.

If not, and this is a possibility if ATI has not improved with driver
support, you may have to compile your own. This is simplified by EnvyNG
which is in the repositories. I am not sure how well it works for newer
cards. It is great for old ones. You could also try the ATI site.

As of 9.04, Ubuntu shipped with a kernel that handles much of the graphics
chores instead of relying on xorg. This made existing xorg drivers obsolete.
ATI and Intel were late in supplying new drivers. I am not sure if there is
a backlog. Mine is NVidia and it has never given me a problem. If all else
fails then you can install the Nvidia and hook your monitor up to it. You
don't have to remove the old card. My computer has two cards and it works
fine.

ATI was no help so tried the winfast card round filed it, dead. Put the INVIDIA
in got the drivers every thing works. When I come across a better card I'll
upgrade. I love Ubie try all that with a windoze. I've only been using Ubuntu
for a few weeks and rarely turn the xp on. Both of my PC are salvage and I'm
trying to take 3 identical laptops and make 1 good one so I can put Ubuntu on it
and let friends try it.

I'm glad that things are working. Please keep in touch and let us know how
you are doing with Ubuntu.