For me, spending 100+ hours + $$ on books just trying to get an Ubuntu server to handle print and filesharing (and failing) was ludicrous. My time is valuable. A few clicks on a Windows server and this is done.

You should have called - or posted! Setting up a printer is very easy and fast. Samba (file sharing) just a little longer (unless you need very special auth). There are things that can take a while but the ones suggested are not thoses just like windows.

Johnf