OK so i have download ubuntu and very pleased with its performance compared to my old windows XP. I can get a wired connection to the internet but no wifi (

Im not a huge internet/pc whiz to looking through the answer below is just confusing me. Is someone able to say in laymans terms what i need to do?

I have a wireless usb adapter ISSC 54mbps which i cant get the system to recognise. SUggestions?