I did a thread search, but the similar threads I found were 2+ years old, so I don't know if they are still relevant now or not.

So, I have been using Ubuntu now for about a year (but running PC as dual-boot). I'm at the point where I am somewhat comfortable with the terminal, using vim, coding with gcc, compiling source code to install programs, and banging my head against the wall.

Ubuntu is great, but I feel it is bloated. Too many bells and whistles. I want something that is basically fast. I don't know if this is Flash or Ubuntu, but I can't even play flash games smoothly, on either FF or Opera.*

But, I'm still not "good enough" to want to compile source code for all my apps, make custom drivers, or stuff like that. I do it when necessary and get a good sense of satisfaction when I win, but I don't have the time to do it constantly. I'll be starting grad school this summer, so I'll be lucky if I have time to eat. Also, I'm not good enough at coding to know how to debug anything if I need to (unless there are instructions of course, but I mean on my own to catch and fix a bug). I'm going into physics, so I basically stick to numerical calculations.

Another thing I read about was compiling my own kernal that I could modify to suit my needs. Made my ears perked up, but I don't know much about it. Would I still be able to update my kernel easily, or would I have to recompile a newer version again and do a fresh install? Are we talking Ubuntu kernal, or a Linux "general" kernel that is the foundation of Debian/Ubuntu?

*Yes, drivers are good. Yes, newest versions of Adobe flash & FF & Opera. Yes, tried the open source flash. Yes, good enough system (better than the school machines that run Red Hat and don't have this problem).

Not completely sure what the question is here....but let's not let that stop the answers....

1. You can compile a new kernel on any distro. You can start with the sources that come with the distro, or you can get a "vanilla" version at kernel.org.

2. There are lots of intermediate distros--eg Arch, Slackware--that do not require a lot of compiling. Arch is particularly good if you want to start with the absolute minimum and build up.

3. Do you know that the issue with flash games is not your video card?

If you need a simple distro, you can choose Debian (that has good repo and with dependencies check) or Slackware or Arch or Gentoo. I think Debian is intermediate enough to try. You need weeks or so to get your system run smoothly. As for Slackware, Gentoo or Arch you need months or so to customize your system.

Compiling kernel is not as difficult as people think. You can make oldconfig based on your current kernel and then modify its configuration as you need. Kernel should be updated/reconfigured when you got newer device or you need to compile a module.

For flash player, I recommend you installed it manually.

By the way, all installation and configuration can be done gradually. Just when you have time to do so.

Cool, thanks for the help. To clarify, I would like advice on an "intermediate"/faster than Ubuntu distro and/or some info on compiling a kernal and if it would be worth it.

Okay, so:

1) I'll look into Arch/Debian/Slack/Gentoo.

2) What do you mean by module? I assume Ubuntu only installs a new kernel when installing a new version, i.e. Hardy -> Intrepid? Is this basically how often I'd have to do it? And with devices, you mean new hardware, right? If I get a new CPU or video card, I have to recompile to optimize the OS for my hardware, correct?

3) I installed Flash from the .deb file on the Adobe website. I don't know how to get the source code or if it would help... And I don't think it's my video card. I have an Nvidia 7800GT or something like that, so it's not a dinosaur. And it worked fine on XP. But, I haven't updated the drivers in a while. I probably should.

EDIT: Oh, I should probably also mention that I have a 64-bit AMD CPU, so if any Distro is better equipped to handle 64-bit than others, that's a factor, too. I tried Ubuntu 64-bit before summer, and I couldn't get half the things I wanted working properly. Lots of work-arounds. But... I guess if I want to take the plunge into haz0rz land, I'll have to get used to it, huh?

Another EDIT: So I think I'll try Debian... but I'm interested in KDE 4.2. From the Debian KDE website, they say to install Debian first, then install KDE. So I am assuming that means Install Debian Lenny, which comes with GNOME, and then just switch over to KDE afterwards?

I think that the way via LiveCD is the best way to choose.
But maybe it helps you when I give you my favorites (I checked about 100 distros)
SabayonLinux excellent but extremely big
Mandriva excellent
Knoppix I liked very much ("invented" the liveCDs)
ZevenOS
openmamba I loved / proprietaire Software as drivers and plugins (so you will not have problems with flashplugins etc.
GoboLinux: different file struktur, interesting model
SAM Linux: good to take everywhere
SLAX excellent: good to take everywhere
Puppy I started with and so my spezial faforite / proprietaire Software as drivers and plugins (so you will not have problems with flashplugins etc.

The underlined ones I would recomend also for fix installation

Modules are known as driver in Win. The one that showed up when you run lsmod (not so apparent in Ubuntu and Fedora that used proprietary modules).

It depends on your need actually. Ubuntu also patched vanilla kernel you can download from Kernel.org. As for me I used kernel 2.6.27.3 and compiled it from source to suit my hardware need.

Yes, new hardware. Fr CPU optimization yes or you can configure it generally. Or you can disable kernel modules and load manufacturer-specific modules from their website, e.g. wlan device, video card or modem.

As for processor architecture, you should use distro that optimizes your CPU, although some proprietary modules only support 32-bit version.

KDE 4.2 is not stable enough. Anyway, in the end you either install both KDE or Gnome engine or install none (CLI). It all depends on your need.