post-install wizard for restricted formats?

[David Feldman]

Ubuntu is a great distro. That it manages to remain cutting-edge and 
easy to install and use at the same time is impressive, and I like 
what's been happening to the look & feel in Hoary.

Yet I still couldn't recommend it as a good choice for users who want 
to try Linux but don't have a savvy helper around to get it running. 
Hoary is much closer than Warty was, and I think the major stumbling 
block is the restricted formats. SUSE, my current favorite in the "it 
just works" category, is as easy to install as Hoary but results in a 
system with support for MP3 and other formats that users will want. I 
can't imagine non-technical users will be particularly tolerant of the 
need to read documentation, configure repositories, etc., just to get 
their MP3s working.

Anyway, I don't mean to be negative: I have a suggestion for the next 
version. I presume the desire to keep restricted formats out of the 
base install is a strong one. But what about some sort of post-install 
wizard? The user could read a brief paragraph about restricted formats, 
then use a column of checkboxes to select formats (mp3, aac, 
realplayer, DVD, etc., maybe even a crossover office demo), which would 
then be installed without further effort.

I honestly feel like such a tool would make a significant difference in 
Ubuntu's ability to appeal to non-technical users.

--Dave