[ThunderSleeps]

I'll throw in my $0.02. I'm writing this on a system running Linux Mint 16 with KDE. I left ubuntu a couple of years ago after they switched to the unity interface. It just doesn't work for me. I've also used PCLinuxOS mentioned above. Very good basic OS. I don't really remember why I switched from that to ubuntu.

This distro or that, this window manager or that (gnome, unity, xfce, KDE...) they all have their strengths and weaknesses, their own quirks. The nice thing is, with an 4GB thumb drive, a broadband internet connection, and an afternoon, you can try out several and see which strikes your fancy.

[FLAMING DEATH]

When Ubuntu switched to Unity, I too moved away.

Using Mint now and couldn’t be happier.

[NewHampshireDuo]

I’m also writing this on Mint but with the Cinnamon desktop. I have several installations of Mint at home including Mint 13 which has support until 2017. I also use Ubuntu (what I started with) but I don’t really like the Unity desktop. I also run Debian for more limited purposes. I am not that proficient yet.

[Bikkuri]

Kubuntu KDE all the way ;^)