mkdir ~/ROOT/
cd ~/ROOT/
sudo apt-get install subversion
svn co http://root.cern.ch/svn/root/branches/v5-32-00-patches root
cd ./root
sudo -p mkdir /opt/ROOT/v5-32-00-patches
export ROOTSYS=/opt/ROOT/v5-32-00-patches
sudo apt-get install dpkg-dev
sudo apt-get install libx11-dev
sudo apt-get install libxpm-dev
sudo apt-get install libxft-dev
sudo apt-get install libxext-dev
./configure
make
make install
rm -rf ~/ROOT
cd ~
source  /opt/ROOT/v5-32-00-patches/bin/thisroot.sh
root

Install Skype:

sudo apt-add-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ $(lsb_release -sc) partner"<br /> 
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install skype

Multimedia Players:

sudo apt-get install vlc audacious
sudo apt-get install quodlibet quodlibet-ext quodlibet-plugins

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts

sudo apt-get install flashplugin-nonfree

sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts

Virtual Box:

sudo apt-get install dkms
sudo dpkg -i virtualbox-4.2_4.2.16-86992~Ubuntu~precise_i386.deb
sudo /etc/init.d/vboxdrv setup

Remote Desktop:

rdesktop -g 100% -a24 -u tkhurshi -d CERN cerntsnew.cern.ch

If reloading gets a problem then try
rm ~/.rdesktop/licence* && rdesktop windowsremote.engineering.iastate.edu