Three general newbie questions

[de Selby]

Hello all

Three general questions:

1. Although I've used it for years, I've never installed linux on one
of my own machines before. In your opinions, is ubuntu an appropriate
distro for a "first time installer"?

2. I am considering installing ubuntu on a laptop - I've done some
homework and have found quite a bit of documentation on installing
Debian on my particular model and hardware. Can I assume that this
documentation will basically apply to ubuntu as well?

3. I need to use a few obscure programs that are almost certainly not
included with the ubuntu distribution files. Can I assume that the
"Debian" versions of these programs (which I have access to) and the
"Debian installation instructions" are the most appropriate for
ubuntu?

Many thanks in advance.