Definitely use the install script; or manually install by reading and following the script process 😉
Issues with installing OpenACS packages via an Ubuntu-based install may be due to the aolserver start-up script not setting a dependent environmental variable --or using a broken value.
My experience with installing OpenACS on Ubuntu 10, 11 and 12 suggests that the Ubuntu software installation process for OpenACS is fraught with issues largely introduced by Ubuntu/Debian packaging system and version conflicts with each Ubuntu release; If you get OpenACS to work in these conditions, you might run into some fairly esoteric errors.
The admin hurdles can be avoided by running the referenced installation script.
By installing from the script you'll have a reference standard that is more easily diagnosed;
Also any errors you post will be providing useful feedback for maintaining the installation script.
cheers,
