I have been to many forums, done dozens of posts and visited 100s of web sites in the last few months and learned quite a few things:

1. If you ask a simple question about linux you will get a dozen wrong answers and...

2. I don't know what drugs were being smoked at the time but Ubuntu is nowhere near as friendly as the hype makes out.

I'll ask the same basic question that countless Linux users do not know the answer to...

...my wifi mini does not work so I bought a usb wifi modem that supposedly works with Ubuntu (and most definitely works in win 7... or even XP for that matter) BUT wicd doesn't show any option for using the usb modem (only allows for the use of the non-functioning mini and the ethernet port) so how do you make a usb wifi modem work in Ubuntu?

You may think I am stupid for not knowing how to do it BUT Microsoft has been able to release an OS that automatically detects and configures basic hardware for a long time now so that leads me to believe your so-called user-friendly Ubuntu is profoundly stupid.

I know you are Linux users so listen up children...viable answers only...no flames...if u wanna flame go to a gay bar.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkManager0.7

wicd does not support USB modem devices.

Microsoft does not release an OS that automatically detects and configures USB modem devices. Rather, the device manufacturers make the devices with appropriate Windows drivers and setup software preinstalled.

Oh, and DaddyO, please cut back on the patronising, combative and insulting tone.

why do you have wicd in Ubuntu when ubuntu already comes with the Wireless Manager already pre installed?
Also the latest kernel in which Ubuntu is base of already has the driver for your USB wireless adapter so I'll say upgrade your OS and then try it.

Good luck to you, and please try no to insult Open Source developers since they work hard on their code so we can use our devices at not cost.

I love open source...in theory I love Linux. In practice the Linux OS is NEVER explained to new users and receives way too much positive and false publicity as a suitable alternative to windows. If you have people to teach you linux or do several years of schooling dedicated to learning linux then you can use linux. If you are intelligent and have moderate computer knowledge you can do well with windows. If you have a severe mental defect and a lot of money then apple products are the way to go. I don't want to start an argument over what OS is best because it is irrelevant because I need both windows and linux... they each have unique capabilities and are very affordable

Who does and doesn't support hardware is a mystery... you claim that manufacturers do but I have seen win 7 use integrated software to support hardware when the manufacturer has long discontinued supporting the hardware. And the we support that but they don't support us thing is highly irritating and irrelevant because I know the manufacturer and they state the item works with linux (the 2.6 kernal to be precise).

The particular Linux distro I am trying to use is based on ubuntu and is riddled with permissions up to high hell so many things people take for granted like synaptic package manager will not work for me and many things that are default in normal ubuntu are not for me...my distro has a very tiny forum run by very tiny moderators who screen each and every post with a fine tooth comb looking for reasons not to allow my posts on the forum.

I am justifiably frustrated and angry because not only can't anyone explain something as simple as using a usb modem but many members of the linux community are somehow offended that I wasn't rich enough to afford a Linux tutor (more accurately put I do not know a single person within a thousand miles that uses Linux) and get upset and hostile when I make "windows-user" mistakes or more accurately "assumptions".

My grand-standing aside I will look into the NetworkManager0.7 thing when I get back (thx allend... you flamed me but also tried to help so that's cool)