I voted for KDE because I loved the Wobbly Windows and Transparency in Compiz (GNOME 2), but Compiz disappeared from the Ubuntu repositories and became harder to install. Is it still being maintained and/or updated? Meanwhile, KDE incorporated compositing into the basic window manager (including Wobbly Windows, Transparency, and other effects). It makes installing Compiz-like effects super easy. Plus, I like the Kate text editor and Konsole terminal much better than their GNOME equivalents.

I like Compiz effects a lot, but couldn't find Compiz in the default package repositories for the most recent versions of Mint and Ubuntu. Some web discussions said Compiz wasn't being maintained anymore upstream. But I found some of the compositing effects I like best (like transparent windows and wobbly windows) in Kubuntu, built into the KDE code base without requiring Compiz. So it looked like the easiest way to get compositing effects.

Yep, I tether it with my Droid X too, but I'm paying the $20/month sucker fee for it instead of rooting the phone. Still better than carrying the MiFi around though -- at least I have my Droid with me whenever I use the iPad.

I second the vote for Kate! Highlighting for any language you want, comment or uncomment blocks of code, keep a bunch of files open on the side and switch between them. The big IDEs just get in my way.