Three ways to install software +

The synaptic package manager is a no fuss way of installing software.  Search for it in the search bar in the PM and mark it for installation.  Hit apply

The Ubuntu Software Center is probably where I am most comfortable installing from just because of the GUI

The apt-get method in the terminal is the most interesting one to me.  I feel like a real bona-fide geek doing it like this.  Unfortunately I was confused in the difference between installing as su, as sudo, and actually making a "root terminal" (which you are not supposed to do but I found a tutorial online how to and did it before I realized.  haha.