[NTLUG:Discuss] Alternates to Kubuntu 11

[agoats at compuserve.com]

Ya'll,

All is not well at the home front!  Kubuntu et al are killing off 8.04,  
KDE4.0 is approaching Microsoft bloatware with performance, too many 
issues with mp3 players and dropping USB connections... grrrr!

Spousal unit is demanding something be done, so I'm looking for a better 
alternative that the novice can handle like the KDE3 and Kubuntu8.04 
was.  Why people have to chase after the latest Microsoft abomination I 
don't understand, but guys, quit trying to be so DIFFERENT! You are 
losing converts!

Need:  mplayer, dolphin or konqueror that mounts mp3 players 
(particularly the Sansa E-260), plays DVD's, uses a CD ripper more like  
KAudioCreator, uses the OLD icons and has a software update/install 
similar to Kubuntu 8.04 Adept Manager so packages can be seen and 
installed or updated.

What is out there that is the most similar to the "Olde Version"?  

Stoopid modernizing nonsense to either be so different as to be foreign 
and confusing or to be so much like the most hated software company of 
all time....... grrrrrrrr!

Alvin