As of Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn), the distribution featured something known as “Restricted Drivers Manager” to appease open-source purists who basically believe that anything closed-source is bad.  I believe that this could not be further from the truth.  I believe that being open means:

• Creating a better alternative for cheaper
• Presenting all the choices to the end-user
• Being willing to meet other vendors halfway
• Enabling the end-user to pick and choose a solution that would work for him/her.

From making mistakes installing the nVidia graphics card drivers on my computer numerous times, I have finally learned the magic sequence to do things without ever touching the Restricted Drivers Manager.  I call it the 10-Step Program to 3D Acceleration:

1. Install OS
2. Update.  If there is no kernel update, skip to Step 6
3. Reboot (into the new kernel, obviously)
4. Uninstall everything that has to do with the old kernel, install build-essential
   
5. Reboot
6. Install graphics drivers and configure accordingly
7. Reboot
8. Test 3D acceleration
9. Install programs
10. Restore files (if any)

The Restricted Drivers Manager will tempt you to click on it twice, but ignore it like an itch and it will go away.