Ubuntu should have some software which automatically tests compability of the hardware before Ubuntu is installed. This software should also communicate with a backend hardware database where reports of new hardware is stored. The user should get a status message. If there are some software there which can solve the problem it is installed automatically. Or the user gets a report that certain hardware do not run with Ubuntu, and can choose to terminate the installation. This could help newbies with installing wifi cards. And why it's not working.

This software could also guide a user when some kind of new software is installed: webcam, usb something. With help and what kind of software you can use. When using a digital camera for the first time the user gets some help like what kind of GTK/QT software is available. How to load RAW images. What kind of image software you can use. And so on, so on...