I was switching to Linux in the optimal time, around Ubuntu 9.04/9.10. I am a programmer, so I don't want to be a Linux guru, that's why Ubuntu was perfect for me - until Unity/Gnome3.In latest Ubuntu releases (11.04/11.10), several important things have just disappeared. There's no Compiz-Fusion support, no Gnome2 applets. The position of the panels is fixed. The Unity launcher is for-dummies, but I'm not. Lots of customisation options are gone. On the computer I've performed distro-upgrade, I've installed LXDE now, it's like Gnome (I've replaced LXDE's file manager with Nautilus), but it does not support Compiz-Fusion.So, the question is: which Linux distribution is like Ubuntu 9.04/9.10, which I can just install, set up Compiz-Fusion shortcuts, select panel's position, add applets, and it just works?Should I go back to Ubuntu 10.04 LTS? What about Mint? I don't want to dig too deep into the soul of window managers and desktop environments.
I want my Ubuntu 9.04/9.10 back, is there any current similar distro?
gnome;distribution choice;window manager;desktop environment;compiz
Xubuntu.XFCE looks better and is less spartan than LXDE, I've kept the beloved Ubuntu, XFCE's panel is great, Compiz-Fusion works, drag-and-drop is no problem between Thunar (XFCE's file manager) and Nautilus (Gnome's one) and the desktop. A clean Xubuntu install would be better, but there're no major problems, I'm happy now.