wireless in ubuntu

I changed to Ubuntu for no reason. Just want to try something different. It turns out to be a happy (and easy) change. The only thing hit on me was the wireless network. It couldn't "easily" (I mean, with a lot of my help, it could) find hidden wireless access point. But University only give me hidden wireless. A little bit search lead me to the following solution:
install wicd. google wicd will show you everything.

It is simple again. I like it.

Oh, one more thing, ubuntu is an OS and only an OS. It has not many software come with it. If you are a researcher, like me, you need to install (it is easy though) all softwares that you need. A short list for me:

gnuplot
vim (the default one is too basic)
xifg
compiz-fusion (for amusing your windows friends, maybe not anymore with vista)
pdftk
. . .