As  other Sajha user said, avoid installing yahoo messenger it doesn't work properly. Try empathy or pidgin they are pretty good. Skype works like charm in my ubuntu box. Linux is better if you try to understand while using it than windows. Linux can offer you lot more than windows, however you have to understand the system, http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/install_wizard/index.html work perfectly fine eventhough mine is HP laser and just printer and scanner. You can post your problem in Ubuntu Forum there are plenty of ubuntu expert they can give you prompt help.