Problems with help

I am new to Xubuntu and so far am quite impressed. I am running the latest version. Other than a problem with Network Manager my only issue is with help. The help described in the user manual does not seen to match my system at all. For instance, it says you can change the main menu by going to Applications -> Settings -> Menu Editor. There is no such item on my menu. (It also says to click the Network Manager icon - but there is none - and apparently no way to bring up the applet any other way - I've read all the questions/answers on that and nothing seems and there seems to be no other way to launch the run dialog. In many of the question and answer items I've read on the web they mention other menu items that are not there as well. Is my system not set up right or is help broken? I use Linux mostly for my own Scheme program development and need a simple system that allows me create and launch my own programs. Am I barking up the wrong tree with Xubuntu?