Typically, that is the default file system. That is how you will get the best support when there is an issue. It will also be the most stable with your OS because the developers focus on that FS. So personally, I would use whatever is the default FS for whatever OS you decide to use. To get off topic a bit, IMHO that OS should be Debian because it is just too awesome and Debian based OS's have the largest community. Also, it should be running on Linode.com ;)

Although I agree that Xen is a "no. Just no." for a beginner, you seem to have an attitude against it in a corporate/commercial world? Right from their website, "The Xen Hypervisor has a user base in the millions, that include cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Rackspace Hosting, Linode". I use ESXi as well on an almost daily basis, but you seem to have drank the VMWare kool-aid. That or you are SUPER vendor locked in and so you've given up.

Right, and I understand that. I'm just saying that Ubuntu is trying to target the everyday user, I don't know if it is successful or not.

"...but I would expect most Linux users to know that and make an informed decision." Typically true, but it should make a difference that Ubuntu isn't targeting the average Linux user (IMHO). They are targeting everyday users as well by trying to make their interface as easy to use as possible.

This is how it should have been in the first place. As a user of Ubuntu when I do decide to install 12.10 I would like to be greeted with the option to opt-in rather than having the ability to "opt-out" by changing settings after the install. Personally, I will opt-in just to be able to support Ubuntu in even the smallest way.

Obviously, the technology and related job market is growing and will be for some time. With /. consisting of mostly technical people, I would say it would make sense that the majority of us are better off. Just ONE example is we now have opportunities to make $250,000+ a year programming iOS apps for another firm (read as in not inventing your own app and being self-employed.) My 2 cents.

Seriously, if anyone one is interested in helping or collaborating or anything like that just email me: mike {[ et ]} computershine,com

Your signature... Def the HP with the i7, ram is cheap and you prob won't be using 8 GB anyways.

Just an FYI, here is a link to remove the nasty default scrollbar in Ubuntu. It's one of the first things I do on a new install.

If they spend more time on the appearance, maybe I will actually enjoy Unity.

Get a camera+dvr kit from any super club store (Costco, Sam's Club) or online at any large tech selling company (Tigerdirect.com). Seriously, ~$500 will probably get you 8 cameras that can be set to motion activated recording. Your welcome.

Ha nice scene to lead us all too. But I just wanted to chime in and say that swordfish was much more "awesomer". It was cool because if you recall from Swordfish the huge monitor array setup, it must have been like 10 monitors were all SGI brand 17 inch LCD screens. At the time, I was working for an SGI refurbishing company and I was using those monitors every day. It makes the movie that much more personal and "awesomer".

What four year old is still swallowing random objects?