setting up a rails env in ubuntu!

gistfile1.txt

I recommend getting the 10.04 LTS version meanwhile, but if you feel "edgy" you can get the latest one (though I haven't tested how easy it is to install Ruby there)

OS:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

RUBY and everything else using RVM:
http://ryanbigg.com/2010/12/ubuntu-ruby-rvm-rails-and-you/

Firefox: 1st uninstall the default one (is not linked to the ones in the repositories -- easily done through Ubuntu Software Center)
then in the terminal =>
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/firefox-stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install firefox ubufox

Chromium (Chrome open source):
From the Ubuntu Software Center

Opera:
http://blog.sudobits.com/2010/05/15/how-to-install-opera-in-ubuntu-10-04/

you may want to get these pimp-out personalizations for gedit (default text editor in ubuntu 10.04)
https://github.com/gmate/gmate
and of course install gedit plugins: sudo apt-get install gedit-plugins

hope it helps!