I forgot to mention; Kanotix Linux is good as well, jut not as configurable as Mepis Linux for the things I need it to do. As far as stability and widespread usage, however, it is a solid distro also, just not as widely known.
Zorin Linux and Pear Linux are also quite good, if not as stable or configurable as Mepis, and you might wish to take a look at them as well.
Have fun! :)
Ehrmmm... “jut” should read as “just”. Sorry. Need to work on the proofreading skills, as well as more awake-edness in posts here.