If I install Ubuntu, and then install KDE to it, is the result the same as if I had installed Kubuntu in the first place? Or is there a difference between an Ubuntu install with KDE and a Kubuntu install? And is one better or more efficient than the other?

I have the same question about Linux Mint and Linux Mint KDE.

I haven't actually started using any of these yet, or even downloaded them, but I will soon.

Thanks to anyone who can clear this up for me.

It is if you install particular meta packages (for the same look and feel). Install as many desktops as you want. But it helps to remove some other unused applications.

...that is for *buntu

If you want a Kubuntu(-like) install, just install the "kubuntu-desktop" package, rather than any of the kde-* packages. Other than the Gnome desktop and packages, it'll be the same as a default Kubuntu install.

No. You will still have Gnome and all of the Gnome apps and applets installed. But this may be an advantage.

But it should be the same as starting from kubuntu and adding Gnome, plus all of the gnome accessories.

Thanks for all the answers. I'm still a bit confused. I mean, I don't know yet if I will prefer Gnome or KDE, as I haven't used either yet. So, do I have to download two different CDs, Kubuntu and Ubuntu, or can I just download one and transform it into the other easily?

See, at this point in my newbieness I don't understand the difference between a "kubuntu-desktop" package, and a KDE-* package.

Also I am leaning to trying Mint first, and the same situation applies there.

The the "kubuntu-desktop" package, and the kde-* packages, are known as "meta-packages". That means that all they do is depend on other packages. The kde-* packages just install the KDE packages, with kubuntu-desktop package also installs some default settings. You can transform an Ubuntu install to a Kubuntu install by installing "kubuntu-desktop" and following the instructions on the help pages.
I'd suggest you try both Gnome and KDE (as far as I know, Mint also offers both Gnome and KDE installs), some people prefer Gnome and others KDE. It's down to personal preference, which ever you feel comfortable with. And don't forget, you can use any Gnome application in KDE and any KDE application in Gnome. So your choice doesn't restrict what applications you want to use, just the general look and feel of the desktop.

You just need one cd to get started. After that it is apt-get or synaptic or adept

I can't see any other way that you are going to find out, other than trying them.

I really think that *buntu have caused a bit of the problem here with the terminology that they have chosen and how they have chosen to use it; for most distros, you can talk of RedHat/SuSE/Debian/whatever with a particular GUI installed. For the *buntus, Ubuntu is the gnome Ubuntu, Kubuntu is the KDE Ubuntu, Xubuntu is the XFCE Ubuntu.

Yes, yes, yes. Re-read the replies that you have already had. In most linux distros there is a package manager and you just use that to add any other GUIs that you want and choose at boot time which one you want to run on that particular occasion.

Note also that Live CDs/DVDs are good. For these, you do not have to install anything. If you try and like, usually you can install if you want. There is a case for just getting a handful and live CDs and going with what you like - these CDs are available from people who will download them for you, and, depending where you are, there may be magazines that include a CD/DVD with each month's issue, which can be convenient.

For Mint, the default desktop is Gnome. Its not a distro that I know well, but if you can find kde-???? in the package manager, then the same situation does apply. If not, you'll probably find the packages that you want by adding another repository (collection of packages), but the linux mint website will guide you further (note that Distrowatch, for example http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint is a good source of further information on pretty much any distro, in the case of that link, Linux Mint).

Okay. Thanks everyone, I understand now.