I'm completly new to Ubuntu linux.

Can't figure out how to log in to my dorm's internet service, no matter how I google it. I can tell i'm connected, and it worked last night. Firefox just says something about SSL Layer 2 being disabled. I thought this would be a common problem, but I just can't find an answer.

If you are a newbie to linux get rid of your UBUNTU RIGHT NOW
I started of with UBUNTU then tried KUBUNTU and nearly gave up linux and nearly re installed windows
Fortunately I got advice and installed several other distros and learned what I had to know via these other distros
THE UBUNTU DISTROS HAVE ALL SORTS OF IMPORTANT FILES LEFT OFF THE DISTRO DISKS
When you have enough LINUX knowledge it is a simple matter to create the required files BUT UBUNTU IS DEFINITELY UNSUITABLE for a newbie to linux

I appreciate your advice, and it did prompt me to look around on the internet for alternatives. I certainly don't have the means to pay for even the cheapest commercial distibutions, and I can't find a free one that promises to be any better than Ubuntu. I've been all over looking at comparisons of Knoppix, Fedora, Debian, etc, but I can't find any info on which one would have the most hardware and network support built-in. I think I'm going to see what I can do with Ubuntu for a little longer. As long as I can get the following working, i'll be pacified and happy to slowly learn how to use Ubuntu:

1.Firefox/Email/Gaim
2.some kind of Windows Media Player-esque media manager
3.TV viewing/recording

If someone knows of a linux distro that has built-in help for this stuff, let me know.

The Problem I had with the Ubuntu and Kubuntu distros was that important files had been left off the instalation disk
Unless you are miles away in the wilderness I am sure there will be a Linux enthusiast somewhere not to far away who will bring his disks and install his favorite distro for you.I am based in Johannesburg South Africa and dont know if you are anywhere near here.Someone may even give you copies of a full set of cds for a distro if you can cover the cost of cheap blank cd disks .
I will think on the problem of how to find someone near you who can give you a better distro for free ,after all that is what Linux is all about
It is nice to have a full box pack with printed manuals but you can get by because all your manuals should already be on your hard disk.
Another place to search for answers to your problem is to search the HOWTO files for firefox etc
It does seem that you managed to get UBUNTU onto the internet I was totaly unable to do so because of missing files
There is plenty of help online but it seems that you would have an easier time if we found you someone who is a local phone call away who can give you a better distro and some telephone help after it is installed.
Try checking your local fone book for a "COMPUTER Club" or society they are bound to have members with linux knowledge.YOU can email me direct
llewellyn.lee@telkomsa.net
I cant really help much because I kicked ubuntu out and installed all sorts of distros just for the fun of it.Ubuntu has that horrible SUDO which prevents you getting in as ROOT . I really hate them for doing this to you -I began to feel that the UBUNTU crowd were agents of microsoft trying to undermine LINUX users.
Incidentally I later went back to kubuntu and with knowledge of how to find what files were issing and how to create the missing files I did get it to run
but the level of LINUX knowledge required was frightening.
Do have a look at the settings for FIREFOX you might discover the problem
SSL is the online security coding /encryption stuff so there will be an enable box somewhere in the settings for fire fox.
I would personally disable all the secure stuff unless you intend to do online banking or pass your credit card number over the internet.
Let me know if you find a computer club in your area . Every High school has at least one very bright computer GEEK. put a notice up at nearby schools asking for help ,you might be pleasantly surprised and make a friend .

This is a realy sad thread. I expect it's because so few have tried UBUNTU and realized it's value as a workstation, or becasue they are so into the distro they are using they dont want to consider another distro.
I have been running RH since 5.2, run each of the FC releases in production environments, and run UBUNTU on a laptop with very high success. Each Distro has it's strengths and weaknesses. In UBUNTUs defense it got a wireless card working on a laptop during its install with no problems, while FC4 had me building drivers each and every time a kernel update came down...

I can 'su -' to root whenever I need, and have had no problems getting updates and upgrades. In my opinion (and I am sure to get flamed) it's gnome desktop is the closest thing to a viable desktop for a linux newbie out there today. My wife, and 8 year old daughter use it every day and are perfectly happy doing the common things they do (Surf the web, check e-mail, print, games).

Now that I have said all this, lets talk about the real problem...
- Are you getting a valid IP address handed down to the UBUNTU machine? Try ifconfig and check it out.
- Are you using a static IP, or DHCP?
- Have you tried puling up a simple site like google.com?
- Have you tried accessing the internet outside of firefox (Like a chat software, or FTP client)
- Have you tried flushing your firewall rules to ensure it's not something simple, like a blocked port?

i find your anti ubuntu comments unhelpful.

Ubuntu is definately a good distro for begginers. Just because he has a problem getting something working, why just jump on ubuntu. maybe you are trying to start a flame war....

anyway. you say you cannot get connect.

what's the output of 'sudo ifconfig' (from the terminal (in system tools).

and can you 'sudo ping www.google.com'. maybe ask your computers people what steps need to be taken to get connected.

I'm not sure what 'files' are missing to disable tcp/ip networking. get some facts please. For the record i am a slackware expert and a hp-ux admin. I have found ubuntu to be the best OS (windoze included) for my wireless network connection on my dell laptop. I have also never had any problems on desktops.

actually, I figured it out and it was just a box in firefox. After learning what SSL2 is it makes a lot more sense. I guess the reason I couldn't find anyone's solution to the problem online was that SSL2 is so extinct- I'm really surprised at my university for using it.

oh good.

amazing that.

Wonder how you're managing without those missing files.


oh yeah you used your own initive to work it out....:-)

Each of those of you that have so nicely wanted to help anewbie
Used Linux jargon that no NEBIE has a hope of following
I challenge each of you to take to UBUNTU or KUBUNTU distro and install it on a home stand alone desktop machine (an ordinary machine not a fancy laptop or high powered machine that has rf and infrared and all the other goodies
To clarify further the sort of machine that mr average working stiff goes out aND BUYS FOR HIS FAMILY HOME COMPUTER.
wHAT HAPPENS TO SUCH A NEWBIE IS THAT SOME KIND SOLE GIVES HIM uBUNTU
iT SEEMS TO INSTALL UNTILL HE TRIES TO GET ON LINE WITH A DIAL UP MODEM
tHEN THE TROUBLE STARTS. Two of the missing files turned out to be simply BLANK empty files that had to be put in the right place with the right name
But gentelmen what hope has a newbie of working all that out
Cpare with all good intention asks this NEWBIE " are yu using static IP or dhcp
cpare look at your reply I no you really want to help the guy but as I discovered in my struggel to get into LINUX a newbie just has no idea what you
and the other helpfull people in linux are talking about
I am continueing this thread which is already closing so that I can convey to you the depths of Ignorance of a newbie ,things that yu take for granted as very easy to understand are impossible for a newbie
I do know that UBUNTU AND KUBUNTU are very good but if files are missing that prevent a newbie getting on line soon after installation then its not good
I nearly gave up and reinstalled my windows.
I was given an old box set of redhat 6.1 what luck it installed I got on line and after that was able to get help from guys like you
I admire yu all but please beware you have to explain very carefully
Satinet said you can SUDO ping but please how must a newbie know how to ping never mind SUDO ping
I TELL YOU WHAT try to replace a file inside the tcp stuff in UBUNTU and you will find that even sudo gets told "yu dont have permision access denied"
LATER ON I new how to get rid of sudo I installed a root login and got the files put right.PLEASE GUYS I REALLY DID BEGIJN TO FEEL THAT THE UBUNTU CROWD WERE AGENTS FOR MICROSOFT
All the best to all of you -I did learn and get lots of help from your postings
on many topics -- But to get such help a newbie needs the distro to quickly and easily get him online so that he can get your help.That distro is not UBUNTU or KUBUNTU