[apollens]

I am very new to Linux, and just installed a fresh copy of the newest version of Ubuntu. Can someone please explain the difference between going to "add/remove" to install something versus going to Synaptic and installing something? What are each used for?

[office politics]

by add /remove, do you mean in windows? if so, windows will only show you what is currently installed and what you can install from the windows cd.

linux package managers will allow you to search for published software. there repositories that you configure. The repo's hold lists of software you can download and install.

Package management system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia