If it wasn't for Ubuntu I would never be a regular linux user. From all the linux flavors I tried, it is the most user friendly and there is less fighting the OS and more work getting done. Recently I did notice that other flavors are finally looking out for the user (I'm sure they are following Ubuntu steps). I have been closely following ubuntu phone experience it looks very interesting. Today Ubuntu started a campaign on indiegogo with the very ambitious goal of $32 Million for the new Ubuntu Edge: the next generation of personal computing: smartphone and desktop PC in one state-of-the-art device.
I was real close to backing this while there were still $600 slots available but eventually decided against it. I just don't need a new phone at this point (just bought a huuuge extended battery for my S3). The specs look great and I really hope they can pull it off and make it awesome. EDIT: Aaaaaand it appears they've dropped the prices down to $625, $675, and $725 (limited number at each level). Back to considering whether I should get one... +
Mint is doing a really great job in this area. (you're probably right in that they are following in Ubuntu's steps in trying to appeal to non-hackers). I started with Mint and am branching out to other distros now that I am learning how to use the command line better.From all the linux flavors I tried, it is the most user friendly and there is less fighting the OS and more work getting done. Recently I did notice that other flavors are finally looking out for the user (I'm sure they are following Ubuntu steps).
You beat me to posting this. I'm really, really excited and I'm sharing this everywhere since I can't afford to contribute right now. I've just started really getting into Linux after being exposed to it in one way or another for 15 years of being around my father (trying to avoid) using it for work. I was always fascinated by the open source ideology, and as I've been going forward withg Ubuntu, you get this feeling of real revolution with it, even if it's not as powerful as other spins or Linux OS's. Seeing it come to the phone market, and as a full fledged desktop that's hopefully dual booting is a massive movement. Here's to it getting it's insane, ambitious, largest-crowdsourcing-ever goal so this can see the light of day. If not, please god let Shuttleworth cover the difference so it does.