I am switiching around between Ubuntu and Mandriva 2006 and cannot decide which I like better. Both have their advantages -- Mandriva works pretty much outta the box (didn't have to do anything but configure alsamixer), and the RPMDrake and the built in GUI configuration tools make things easy for a novice like myself, while in Ubuntu I had to tweak my Xconfig file to get it to recognize proper screen resolutions. Mandriva comes with Kb3 and amaroK installed outta the box, while in Ubuntu's Gnome environment I am reeling to find a replacement for these two fine pieces of software. AmaroK blew me away -- puts anything on Windows to shame, and Kb3 is as good as Nero.

My question is: What is the best Gnome-based DVD-CD burning tool and the best music player/organizers? I like KDE because of the eye candy and the great utils like the aforementioned, but Gnome does use less memory (much less) and seems a bit smoother, which is a good thing on my older computer. If Gnome has anything comparable to those two utils, I might just make the switch to ubuntu.

I realize I can install the KDE libs and then use amaroK and kb3, but on my dial-up box I dont feel like downloading 30-40 megs of stuff in order to do that. Thanks in advance.

For cd burning, you can use gnomebaker. As for amarok, I don't think there is an app for gnome thats equivalent to it. There are however, really good multimedia apps for gnome e.g. rhythmbox and banshee.

You can use K3B under Gnome too. I use it. As for music organizer I cant advise you because I dont use any.

gnomebaker isn't quite as good as K3B yet -- but its pretty close. Also, Nero does offer a linux version which isn't bad http://ww2.nero.com/enu/NeroLINUX.html and as leosgb said, you can still use k3b (although it may not be installed by default)

I've never personally used amaroK, but I use xmms and/or mplayer for all my audio/video needs. xmms (with a few extensions installed) will play just about any audio file you through at it and works just like winamp. I recommend installing the xf86audio, cdread, and skins extensions for it. You may also have to install the mpg123 extension too, as some distro's refuse to support mp3 support due to legal issues. mplayer is a GREAT media player for linux that (with w32codecs installed) supports every audio/video format I've ever tried. It actually plays a lot of files that no windows player will accept. Add the mozilla-mplayer plugin and you get this same support embedded in your web-browser too. The only problem with mplayer (or, more accurately, gmplayer) is the GUI isn't great.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for all the replies.

I notice that ubuntu comes with Rhythmbox ready to go, and I will look into xmms as well. I will check the repos for gnomebreaker. Thanks again.

Rhythmbox is a bit low on features, I prefer gmusicbrowser, featured packed and very customizable. Although it's only for mp3/ogg/flac files and doesn't supports ipod and streams.