On the other hand, if you're looking for something not too far from Ubuntu, Debian or Fedora might be better options.
The machines are also fairly ageing, and don't support the composited desktop. I did test Ubuntu 11.10 beta on one, but it was so slow (with what I assume was Unity 2D) that it would be unusable for day-to-day work. All we use at work are Chrome, Thunderbird, OpenOffice and Audacity - why would we need Unity? Why can't we turn it off?
For me, Ubuntu definitely peaked at 10.04 and I'm going to be looking elsewhere in the near future.
Now, Sir, Just what do you call 'older'?
Our older users are in their 60s and 70s. We're a non profit radio station and several of our volunteers have never used a computer before, or have had only a passing involvement with them.
What sound software do you use? Does it involve Jack?
Looks like you may be able to keep Ubuntu with a current release and configure Gnome Fallback, looking like Gnome 2 to your users.
(Apologies for multiposting - just saw this)
I just moved the PC to Debian Squeeze as the package management methodology is familiar. Gnome 2 supported for another 18 months or so (perhaps longer depending on the time it takes for the testing version to become the new stable). I suppose it depends on the versions of the software you need access to.
I also moved to a tiling window manager, dwm, prompted by the need to purchase a new monitor and getting a largish widescreen one. The 'stack' of windows runs down the right hand side, the 'main' window is on the left. I've set the split to 60/40. There are 9 tags (aka workspaces) and hibernate to disk works well, so I have stable window layouts that work for weeks...
Xubuntu is fine on the netbook, students can understand the one panel at the bottom.
And the Gnome people seem to have gotten at least some of the message gurkendoktor mentions in another thread - they have screenshots of the core features of the product in action and videos showing how different UI flows work.
Even softpedia provides a way to do it: http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-to-Install-GNOME-3-on-Ubu...
That might partly be because Ubuntu has thrown its effort into its default Unity, while Fedora has put effort into its default Gnome Shell.
How hard is it to type "ubuntu" in your browser?
It's a countdown.
Even without any other information about it, it's safe to assume new and current versions of everything.
> why they're making a fuss
Because they are launching a new version in 9 days.
> why I should care.
That's one question only you can possibly answer.
This site is a big dollop of hype. Should I expect anything to back it up?
Or are you actually answering 'no' and I'm too dense to pick it up?
Well it.... did... make it to the Top spot on...ummm.. HN....
Oh well, I always thought archlinux has a interesting philosophy of simplicity and I also like rolling releases
Some meaningless marketing spew, some social network stealth tracking widgets, and not a single link to any meaningful information. After the recent interresting design choices, the unity disaster and now this it is probably time to look for a distribution that doesn't think of it's users as mindless drones easily distracted by empty shiny things. Any recommendations?