Not sure about how to actually add them to the bottom button list, but this explains how to do the things you want in a slightly different way...
Braindead
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The big difference is that a book is structured to teach you bit by bit. One of the issues of learning a new subject is that you don't know what you don't know. Something structured like a book solves this.
That being said, a six year old book is ancient when talking about computer related stuff...
Stupid advice, but you can narrow down a lot by booting to Ubuntu from a usb stick plugged into the machine. Ubuntu install media offers the option to try before install,so no actual changes to your machine are made.
The starlord provides the only correct answer
Misleading title, it's only for Mexico
I think this is the movie that made me a Mechwarrior fan
AKA:
How to make people cry, lesson 01
You keep on existing (at least for now)
Came here to suggest the culture series. First thing that popped into my mind while reading the question.
Ursula K. Le Guin's books in the Hainish Cycle might also fit the bill.
Worst thing is, is that this is not exactly humor, I've seen shit like this happen in real life
Spent the fiver on this one and never regretted it