Help? Overwhelmed and about ready to give up on Ubuntu

[Ann <tate886@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi folks,

I am about ready to give up on Ubuntu, and unfortunately, resign myself 
to being with Windows forever. I was very impressed with my Ubuntu, 
until I discovered that because I have dial up internet access, and like 
most people a Winmodem that Ubuntu doesn't automatically recognize, I'll 
have to jump through a million hoops to maybe get a working dial up 
connection. Isn't being punished by having to use dial up while everyone 
else around you is getting broadband enough? LOL!

I am running a dual boot system with Windows XP & Ubuntu, which I 
installed using the new "Install Inside of Windows' feature of 8.04. 
This went completely without problems, and my Ubuntu works great, except 
for the modem issue.

I have downloaded, when logged in to the XP side of my dual boot, 
windows XP, the scanModem tool, but can't even get it to uncompress with 
gunzip in my Ubuntu set up. Perhaps I am doing something wrong in trying 
to copy the file from the folder where it was placed when downloading 
through Windows? It is in a folder on my main C hard drive called Downloads.

Anyhow, any advice, in the simplest of terms keeping in mind I have been 
a Microsoft Windows slave for the past nine years,,would be helpful 
here. Or, even a bit of encouragement? :)

Or, if another modem is recognized by Ubuntu and I can purchase this 
particular brand somewhere for a reasonable cost, that advice would be 
welcome as well.

Thanks.
~Ann