United for Unity alternatives

We've been down this road before-- choices are good, forced changes are a losing strategy, and the Gnome peeps never seem to learn from their own history. If something is good and useful, users will be drawn to it. If you have to force it on them, I'd say that's a good sign it stinks.

Absolutely correct. Ubuntu is likely going to lose users to Linux Mint over this issue. I am waiting for their next release in November then will likely switch after having used Ubuntu since the first version.

A sad state of affairs, I must say. I used to think of a new LTS version of Ubuntu as something to look forward to, but Ubuntu 12.04 seems more like a 5 year sentence.

Well, albinard, it depends: If the 12.04 LTS extends to all *buntus -- as it does now, if I understand correctly -- and you're using Xubuntu 12.04 or Kubuntu 12.04 (or Lubuntu 12.04 -- don't want to forget LXDE), then you'd be set for five years with that distro version. That's a good thing, as funny as it sounds coming from me.

The problem with shooting themselves in the foot is since that foot is currently lodged in their mouth's they are blowing their own heads off as well :)

I know it's a good thing, Larry, you're exactly right - but I couldn't resist the wisecrack. And you're also right that I'll be sticking with LXDE, but I'll probably put the full version on at least once just to see what it's all about.

Koriel, you say that like it's a bad thing...

And of course it is, but still...

Good to see all of the great enthusiasm still going! Way to go gnome3/unity/apple/win8!!! Three cheers for assimilation!

But seriously the Mate project seems to still be going strong with only 1 person doing the commits... Supposedly linux mint will be trying out mate--rumor only at this point.

@lcafiero You make a very good point.