I don't understand what this means, what I want to do is have an easy way of
installing software via synaptic or apt-get, can I not do this anymore? If I can
please can you explain in step by step fashion how to or direct me to an
appropriate instruction set on the web?

Many thanks in advance, its been a nightmare to get a decent Linux os work on my
laptop, now I have one I'd like to be able to install software to it!