Hi there. I used to have Ubuntu 14.04 (PC, desktop not server) and it worked well for me, so well that I did not really appreciate it. Then when the new version 16.04 showed up I wasted no time to replace 14.04 with the new version. I don't like it at all. I've used it for more than a year and had nothing but trouble. The problem is that it introduced "bugs" into my other software, e.g. gnuplot. gnuplot does not behave the way it used to work on Ubuntu 14.04. I don't want to bother you guys with describing specifics but this is what I want to find out.

If I download Ubuntu 14.04 and try to install it, what potential pitfalls can I expect. Is it doable?

Also at this link there are some new versions, it seems. I need the simplest one. Is it netboot?

Thanks, - A.

The known issues can be found here:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/TrustyTahr/ReleaseNotes

Some bugs and work arounds:
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2217536

This link is the 14.04.5 netboot if that's what you want.
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2217536

-:::-OR this one which is the 14.04.5 GNOME version of Ubuntu.-::-

Here's the Netboot Installation Ubuntu WiKi to help you decide which is the simplest.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/Netboot

Another option is to keep Ubuntu 16.04 and install a different version of Gnuplot that has the features you want.

http://gnuplot.info/

you've grown up and time to move on to a different distro?

Yep ! like Debian : https://www.debian.org/

@Ztcoracat, thank you. Snowpine, it is not simple to "find out the version I want." I believe I have the same version, version 4 of gnuplot, the one I had with Ubuntu 14.04. This is just one example of what happens. I draw diagrams with some math formulas with subscripts and superscipts. Naturally, each subscript and each superscript is a separate label with certain coordinates. When I run a file.gnu script it generates a small window with all the formulas correctly positioned. However, when I maximize this window all subscripts, superscripts and dozens of other details became scattered over the field. It never happened with the old Ubuntu 14.04. I could maximize windows and all proportions would remain. Another thing. I draw a 3-D projection of a globe with gnuplot. I define coordinates of some parallels. If I define just a fraction of a parallel, gnuplot will fill up the rest of the arc and make a full circle and I cannot fight it. It is so bizarre. It was not the case with old Ubuntu. I am sure I have the same gnuplot 4 because when I tried to install version 5, Ubuntu refused to do it for me. I don't actually remember why. I am away from my laptop, but when home I will check it all out.

Thanks. - A.

VirtualBox.org would allow you to 'instantly' have multiple 'whole PCs', as simply 'like app windows', on your existing system. It's 'beyond' amazing, for trying OSs before installing them!!! I believe it will even run Linux, tho not fast, on a 2gb ram 32bit old PC/Mac
You can take snapshots, to instantly revert to a prior moment in time, and save virtualPC (like hibernate)

Your Welcome-

@!!! I've had Linux in an Oracle Virtual Box under Win 7 OS until the hardware got broken. It was a so-so experience. Don't think it is flawless, very far from it. Besides it is kind of slow. Now I have a desktop Pavilion with Win 10 and a separate laptop with Ubuntu. It seems to be the best combination. When you run Linux in VB the whole host of other problems pops up. I was discouraged. It is especially true if you deviate into exotic areas like gnuplot or any other graphic system. Thanks, - A.

@un1x, @BW-userx, I will explore a different distro this weekend. Thanks, - A.

AlexBB:

Since you like Ubuntu you might like Voyager Linux.
https://voyagerlive.org/
https://voyagerlive.org/index.php/li...ger-16-04-lts/

It's based on Ubuntu and Xubuntu 16.04. It was designed by a french developer and it runs GREAT!

I've been running it for about 2 years now and I've never had a problem.

You can't go wrong with running the stable version of Debian. Slackware and CentOS are good too.
I've been running Slackware for 6 years and I've never had a problem.

https://www.debian.org/CD/
http://www.slackware.com/getslack/
https://www.centos.org/

Good luck on your decision for a new disto.

Sounds like a graphics driver issue, if it's having trouble rendering simple shapes like circles or arcs. Does your computer by any chance have Nvidia or AMD graphics? Hopefully with the correct driver, you can get 16.04 running just as well as 14.04 on your hardware.

If you keep 14 off internet it will be fine. You can easily try it.

Try this

https://mirror.leaseweb.com/devuan/d...sktop-live.iso

or

https://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php

Devuan and LMDE are rock solid !