Linux on the desktop is becoming more and more feasible, largely because, regardless of distribution, they all "operate" the same way. You can release a program in binary source code, and everybody regardless of distro will be able to compile it, assuming dependencies are met. So this plethora of Linux distros while it looks bad because there's a lack of continuity, is actually a good thing because it provides lots of room for customizability and just plain having the right to choose. I mean heck, there are specific distros for running a Media Center. There are distros specifically designed to run from a CD for recovery purposes and showcasing Linux. There are distros designed for servers, distros designed for the casual user and distros designed for the power user. And at their heart, they are all Linux. Microsoft is feeling more and more pressure from Apple and the Linux community because it's getting to the point where they're releasing entire operating systems to add features that others already have. Compiz and Beryl were stable and working on Linux way before Vista's Aero was released. Superkaramba has been providing users with desktop widgets for a while, before Vista included the new little sidebar. Windows may be at the top of the market because of commercial marketing and good advertising, but Linux and Apple are driving innovation more than Microsoft is, and it seems like every time one of us introduces something new, Microsoft runs around playing catch-up to try and compete.

I fail to see what "power" users have against distros like Ubuntu, and the others that are bringing MORE people to Linux. The more that switch over, the more that will learn (as I am attempting to do), and the weaker the hold of Microsoft becomes. I just can't get my head around the "rants" against the easier to use distros. I must be missing something.
Like I have said before, we can't all be master mechanics, but we all have the need to drive. I was plumber for years, a master plumber as a matter of fact, but I never expected my customers to understand where their "stuff" went when they flushed the toilet. They just wanted it to work. Anyways, I guess I will never understand why so much opposition to good distros like Ubuntu. I love music, but I can't compose a lick of it.

Ron

(X)Ubuntu. i just cannot get rid of it, although i tried with some other ones.
pretty fancy and slow, though, compared to Debian or ZenWalk.
i think it's the best all-rounder and best compromise between corporate and home usage. some commercial apps i use are hard to setup on other systems, except probably some older versions of RH, Fedora or SUSE.

For me this was a really really close one. Fedora as usual was riding the innovation in 2008 and looking bright towards 2009. Finally voted for Mint, as it made huge difference in usability and newbie friendliness last year. It made to the major distro section in DistroWatch and I was able to convert at least half a dozen people to Linux using Mint,... more (perhaps much more) to come. Kudos to the Mint team (in turn Ubuntu) and Fedora!

I use ubuntu

Ubuntu, if for no other reason, than it has opened linux up to a whole new group of people, who can quite computer illiterate and still use open source... it's linux for the common man...

But personally, it's all about gentoo, configuration, etc. used to like Debian, but I lost faith around October when Lenny was supposed to be released and wasn't... and also, if my distro isn't going to do things for me automatically and easily, then I'm at least goign to go with one that builds stiff from source for me and optimizes it...

What about DreamLinux?

I would like to vote for DreamLinux.....

Zenwalk... combines the power and stability of Slackware with the install-and-run "feature" of modern distributions.

Debian.

I was quite a Ubuntu fan, but I got bored of everything just working and being difficult to break. So now I'm on Debian Unstable.

Slackware

PClinuxOS

It's something you just have to accept, really.
In computer geekdom, especially *nixy geekdom, where there's a choice, there's impassioned argument over which is the correct choice.

I'm missing Pardus Linux... that's the distro, I'd have voted for...

No Sabayon here??? I'm out.....

That's because you're not a "power" user!

Just kidding
I'm a novice myself. I began my GNU/Linux adventure through Ubuntu, switched pretty fast to Xubuntu, but found that it didn't meet my expectations for running a modern OS on old hardware. Which I have later found is not an unusual motive among newcomers. Why spend more cash on new hardware when your old box will do the job?

I had a look at several distros, and landed on Zenwalk, a distant slackware relative. Zenwalk has a one-app-per task philosophy. It runs great on new and old hardware, has a powerful package manager, a complete yet fast and responsive desktop and most notably a great community. Haven't looked back since.

Ubuntu is bloated from the get-go unless you are ready to take the necessary steps that a new linux user would most probably not feel confident enough to do. That said, Ubuntu gave me a starting point. Then I grew up. I can still recommend it to Windows-oriented users and Mac iDolizers without fearing they'll get the fear. Keep up the good work!

One thing that bugs me though, is when Ubuntu users who are surveying other distros or operative systems complain that some thing or setup isn't the same as in Ubuntu. Ubuntu's Not Linux. If you want Ubuntu, use Ubuntu. The good distros are usually built up with care to suit objective x,y,z and I've found that most of the changes are there for good reasons. Understanding this, you'll probably learn more about Linux, and delve further into it away from the abyss of M$.