I agree that finding the right tool is sometimes hard because there are so many options. My general rule is open up the package manager (System->Administration->Synaptic Package Manager) and search for what I need. Then I google the 3 or 4 options and see what people recommend, and just install that one.
I just let Uninstall do its thing, if it misses a few pieces it doesn't really matter. If it really bothers you just use Purge instead of Uninstall.
As for repositories, again you are overcomplicating matters. You really just need to know if it is in the repositories you have connected or not, you might have 40 repositories by default but it doesn't matter which it is in to you. I generally add 1, max 2 repositories to my machine but thats it.
You also don't need the public keys, you can just hit YES when it asks if you want to use it, though I am sure that is not recommended. Generally the instructions just include a command to copy and paste into the command line i.e. Medibuntu's instructions.
And you are over-simplifying it. In Windows, install = double-click setup.exe. In Ubuntu? ... Wait, what was that again? I didn't get it.
For those who have been using unices for many years, it is difficult to remember the challenges of a switcher. I've been using Linux for 12 years, but I have constant reminders, because I'm a CTO, and have to support the end users who are coming into a new OS environment. When you, who have all this stuff in your head, trivialize the new users legitimate challenges, you are part of the usability problem, not part of its solution.
I agree that finding the right tool is sometimes hard because there are so many options. My general rule is open up the package manager (System->Administration->Synaptic Package Manager) and search for what I need. Then I google the 3 or 4 options and see what people recommend, and just install that one.
I just let Uninstall do its thing, if it misses a few pieces it doesn't really matter. If it really bothers you just use Purge instead of Uninstall.
As for repositories, again you are overcomplicating matters. You really just need to know if it is in the repositories you have connected or not, you might have 40 repositories by default but it doesn't matter which it is in to you. I generally add 1, max 2 repositories to my machine but thats it.
You also don't need the public keys, you can just hit YES when it asks if you want to use it, though I am sure that is not recommended. Generally the instructions just include a command to copy and paste into the command line i.e. Medibuntu's instructions.