[papaf]

I recently changed from Xubuntu to Mint XFCE and really like it:

http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1725

Xubuntu is still an excellent choice though.

[sandGorgon]

hey thanks - that was a really interesting find. However, it is a rolling distro based on Debian Testing. I hope that doesnt mean frequent instability.

[marrs]

Debian Testing is stable enough for the desktop. It should be fine, plus you don't get the inconvenience caused by upgrading every 6 months.