I didn't read your entire message, but I believe you can still install the 
old desktop environment with Ubuntu. Barring that, Mint is basically 
Ubuntu and there are various different desktop-related distributions - 
Cinnamon, MATE, etc. Look into those!

On Wed, 7 Jan 2015, Kenneth Lynes wrote:

> Hi guys,
> I am perplexed lately as to what version of Linux to use. I hated the Unity
> desktop and wanted to keep Ubuntu as I really liked it before that change. I
> know that underneath it was the same as before and would work best for me, but
> I wanted my familiar menu back.
> It seems there was some attempt to keep it intact and there was a short time
> when on the next update to Ubuntu, the classic look was made available. But
> later on this seemed to disappear and I went over to Mint as it seemed to me
> that it was the closest thing to having Ubuntu. I think it used the same
> repository, but not sure about that.
>
> My issues have been only that the video ability of linux lags behind so much
> from what my extremely hated Microsoft would enable me to use. I used nero
> linux for a while last year until my paid for install suddenly would not run
> and said it was expired. I bought the app from Nero and they did not say it
> would end or only be good for one year. I digress a bit talking about that and
> I will have to see if Nero will still honor my version of the program now.
> But I would have to use some video conversion programs only available on MS
> and kept hoping there would be some progress in the video realm with linux,
> but it seems to have stalled or even gotten worse now. Does anyone in the
> linux field care if they can deal with the videos in an equal way being done
> in MS world?
>
> Number two issue is the NDAS open source code is available to use in whatever
> way is wanted and is given away I am told. No one with ability to fix it does
> anything with it so I have to use a windows computer to use the windows
> version to see my ndas drives and then use some kind of network windows shared
> for my linux computer to see them.
> I like the ndas idea as I can have drives on my network which do not have an
> address as such and can not be seen from outside the network. Only computers
> in the network can see them as they are addressed by the ndas software.
>
> I want to get rid of all my windows machines, but the lack of doing some of
> these things in linux is stopping me. I am not good at the command line now
> days. I am getting a bit old and cant remember the various commands easily. So
> I rely on the GUI and it is not doing much for me.
>
> Also, just to comment on the previous days postings about which linux variety
> is used and liked most. I want to stay with Ubuntu so is there a way to do it
> better than using Mint?
> I think it was great to see which distros guys with real expertise were using.
> I will read a lot of those postings again. Perhaps we could have a meeting
> dedicated to this topic and extoll the virtues of the various distros?
>
> Thanks for any advice you may give me.
> ------ Original Message ------
> Received: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 09:11:12 AM CST
> From: tclug-list-request at mn-linux.org
> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
> Subject: tclug-list Digest, Vol 121, Issue 49
>
>> Send tclug-list mailing list submissions to
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>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>    1. Re: Which linux do you use? (B-o-B De Mars)
>>    2. Re: html5 on 3.13.etc kernel (Jeff Chapin)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:00:05 -0600
>> From: B-o-B De Mars <mr.chew.baka at gmail.com>
>> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] Which linux do you use?
>> Message-ID: <54AD3BE5.5030309 at gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>>
>> On 1/7/2015 2:14 AM, paul g wrote:
>>> Mr. Bob, would you be able to talk with a noober like me about Slackware
>>> sometime?
>>>
>>> I am interested in your post. Thank you for your time.
>>>
>>
>> Yes.I would be happy to talk about Slackware with you.
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2015 09:10:03 -0600
>> From: Jeff Chapin <chapinjeff at gmail.com>
>> To: TCLUG Mailing List <tclug-list at mn-linux.org>
>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] html5 on 3.13.etc kernel
>> Message-ID:
>> 	<CAJt84+PCOfWXqUDd8ymp0Z0AHpbpA0QQoYHN4DotKifRhxO2Kw at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>>
>> Did you install flashplugin-nonfree via apt? Is it the latest version
>> provided by Mint?
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 4:30 AM, paul g <pj.world at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I am trying to play 'old music videos' - via - 'youtube' on
>>> Linux-Mint17-Mate with kernel -3.14.13-031413-generic-under-firefox 34.0'
>>> Currently I have the 11.2.202.425 flash installed. The HTML5 Google
> player
>>> makes Firefox 34.0' crash after 2-3 songs if that. I think it may be
>>> something to do with Cisco systems video Codec. Sorry to ask such a dumb
>>> question. Thank you for your time.
>>>
>>> 0. problem--> I am trying to play 'all kinds of' music videos via youtube
>>> on my linuxmint computer.
>>>
>>> paul g
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2015 04:11:39 -0600
>>>
>>> From: chapinjeff at gmail.com
>>> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] html5 on 3.13.etc kernel
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 3:44 AM, paul g <pj.world at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Can you take any time off your schedule to help? I apologize for being a
>>> noob.
>>>
>>>
>>> You have to state what you are trying to do before anyone can help you.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks and happy new year.
>>>
>>> paul g
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2015 03:02:41 -0600
>>>
>>> From: chapinjeff at gmail.com
>>> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] html5 on 3.13.etc kernel
>>>
>>> I'm not sure what you are trying to say, or how this relates to the rest
>>> of this email chain.
>>>
>>> On Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 2:24 AM, paul g <pj.world at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Well, look closely -if you have time- and you can see firefox put in /opt
>>> now on any current Mint. Thanks for helping me by the way. I kindof
> learned
>>> to really respect you even though I am 'slow'.
>>>
>>> paul g
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:12:25 -0600
>>>
>>> From: chapinjeff at gmail.com
>>> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] html5 on 3.13.etc kernel
>>>
>>> no.
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 31, 2014 at 5:12 PM, paul g <pj.world at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Have you tried out Lightspark at all personally?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:39:04 -0600
>>>
>>> From: chapinjeff at gmail.com
>>> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] html5 on 3.13.etc kernel
>>>
>>> I'm running Version: 11.2.202.406 of flash, so not much older.
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 31, 2014 at 4:36 PM, paul g <pj.world at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> What version of flash are you running over there? I attached a screenshot
>>> of the installed plugins currently on my system. So I should run an older
>>> version --> like which version then? I could manually install a version
> via
>>> terminal I suppose. Thanks for helping as I am sure your aware of my
>>> struggles trying to figure any of this stuff out.
>>>
>>> [image: Emoji] - Happy Holidays
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:16:16 -0600
>>>
>>> From: chapinjeff at gmail.com
>>> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] html5 on 3.13.etc kernel
>>>
>>> You can also click on the warning and authorize flash to run either once,
>>> or always.
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 31, 2014 at 4:15 PM, Jeff Chapin <chapinjeff at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>>
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUJMZbNR0d0
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 31, 2014 at 4:12 PM, paul g <pj.world at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Would you please break down how exactly how I can 'authorize Firefox to
>>> use the outdated flash plugin'? Sorry to bug you.
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:04:06 -0600
>>>
>>> From: chapinjeff at gmail.com
>>> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] html5 on 3.13.etc kernel
>>>
>>> Do you need to authorize firefox to use the outdated flash plugin, as
>>> previously mentioned?
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 31, 2014 at 3:46 PM, paul g <pj.world at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> You know I just took a little break from it. I did a hard reboot logged
> in
>>> and opened Opera went to YouTube and the music-videos work fine. It looks
>>> as is Firefox and not Opera is having the issue. I could swear though
> that
>>> Opera was not working with the music - videos earlier this morning. Could
> I
>>> ask for your advice and take on what you would recommend I do? Thanks for
>>> your help.
>>>
>>> [image: Emoji] - Happy Holidays
>>>
>>> Paul G
>>>
>>>> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 13:58:36 -0600
>>>> From: chapinjeff at gmail.com
>>>> To: tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>>> Subject: Re: [tclug-list] html5 on 3.13.etc kernel
>>>>
>>>> Now that you mention it, I think I have been doing that for quite some
>>>> time, too. That's most likely it.
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Dec 31, 2014 at 1:57 PM, Shawn Fertch <sfertch at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>>>> I thought Adobe killed Flash for Linux. I run into this issue myself
> on
>>>>> YouTube, etc but havent had time to fix it. So, I just tell it to use
>>> the
>>>>> old version of flash even if it is outdated. This is on current
> Fedora.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Dec 31, 2014 1:30 PM, "Jeff Chapin" <chapinjeff at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The likelihood of this being related to ISP behavior is slim to
> none.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Have you installed flash? If you don't want to use the html5 player,
> I
>>>>>> believe you have to have flash installed and working correctly.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Jeff Chapin
>>>> President, CedarLug, retired
>>>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>>>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>>>> Senator, NISG, retired
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jeff Chapin
>>> President, CedarLug, retired
>>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>>> Senator, NISG, retired
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List -
>>> Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jeff Chapin
>>> President, CedarLug, retired
>>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>>> Senator, NISG, retired
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jeff Chapin
>>> President, CedarLug, retired
>>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>>> Senator, NISG, retired
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List -
>>> Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jeff Chapin
>>> President, CedarLug, retired
>>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>>> Senator, NISG, retired
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List -
>>> Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jeff Chapin
>>> President, CedarLug, retired
>>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>>> Senator, NISG, retired
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List -
>>> Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jeff Chapin
>>> President, CedarLug, retired
>>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>>> Senator, NISG, retired
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List -
>>> Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jeff Chapin
>>> President, CedarLug, retired
>>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>>> Senator, NISG, retired
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________ TCLUG Mailing List -
>>> Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Jeff Chapin
>> President, CedarLug, retired
>> President, UNIPC, "I'll get around to it"
>> President, UNI Scuba Club
>> Senator, NISG, retired
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>> _______________________________________________
>> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
>> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
>> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>>
>> End of tclug-list Digest, Vol 121, Issue 49
>> *******************************************
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
> tclug-list at mn-linux.org
> http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list
>