Found this thread via google - I'm a long time Linux user, starting with MKLinux DR3 back in '98 I think it was. I mostly run CentOS.
Built new PC, threw Ubuntu 12.10 on it, horrid experience. I ran 9.0.4 back a few years ago and liked it but 12.10 is crap.
Wanted to use GIMP. Went to that "Dash Home" thing to find where the hell they put it. It game me a list of books. WTH? Did what I *thought* was needed to install it. It even came up asking what additional packages I wanted. Did it actually install though? Nope - had to open a terminal use apt-get to actually grab it.
Downloaded flash, put plugin where it goes. Launched midori (which I had to apt-get for same reason as gimp) - first, midori launched with a homepage on the filesystem that does not exist. Second, did flash work? Nope - had to export the mozilla plugin directory environmental variable.
Ah, now flash works. right? right? Sure if you want no audio.
Put CD in cdrom drive. It launches some GUI (I believe rhythmox) - perfect. I ask it to Extract to disk. It complains it is missing a vorbis plugin.
Um, who the hell ships a desktop distribution without vorbis support?
I ask it to grab it for me, entering my password, it fails to get it and then tells me python needs vorbis plugin.
Sorry, my reasons may be different than the OP - but for me, Ubuntu 12.10 definitely sucks.