I need a new distro

At long last it is time to part with my Ubuntu/Kubuntu setup. As a result I am taking suggestions for a new distro.
My needs are:
-Binary Package management (no gentoo :( )
-It must be laptop friendly.
-It must not hate FGLRX
-I would like a vast package selection, again I'm not a fan of compiling everything from source.
+bonus for distros that are not too bulky and are very innovative.

Please also add some information on what makes that distro unique. I'm really looking for *stability* and performance, without the stagnation. I've considered debian stable but I don't know if kde 4.6 would be making it's way into back-ports (I'm really not familiar with debian processes). I'm not too optimistic about that as debian seems to be content with kde 4.4 in it's "unstable" repos.

Congratulations to the GNOME

Congratulations to the GNOME team for launching GNOME 3 today. I know it's been a long time comming for them. I'm sure this is just a first step for them on a long and hopefully successful journey. Once I try it I will try to post a detailed analysis of it (Much can be learned about KDE by looking at it's alternatives!) but today is for congratulations to a fellow Open Source project!

You can learn more about GNOME 3 here: http://www.gnome.org/gnome-3/
You can test it using the live Fedora CD here (or OpenSuse!) : http://www.gnome.org/getting-gnome/

Sadly, last I checked you cannot test GNOME 3 in virtual box.

For those of you who have tried it, lemme know what you think. What did you like, what did you hate?

Announcing KDE-Panels!

In my a recent blog I talked about the best layout possible for pushing the Desktop. After careful deliberation I've come to realize that the single most successful Desktop feature is Panels. The beauty of panels is they put everything at your fingertips. So the idea is to frame the desktop with panels and put every single application, folder, and widget on to the 4 panels.

Initial Concept!


Masterpiece of Efficiency Realized!




As you can see, this setup puts everything at your fingertips and you can still work comfortable on 4 applications at the same time. You never have to wade through endless menus or use clunky file managers to navigate folder after folder. So if you are typing some code and you need to reference a document, just open the document without using a file manager by simply clicking on the link on the right Panel. In less than 1 second you go from "stimulus" (I need to open this file) to "result" (Your document will be opened). This allows for addicting computing. As users will be able to get anything they want opened instantly. In turn having everything on their computer visible all of the time will lead to a barrage of stimuli activating their brains and helping them to be constantly using more of the files and applications on their computers rather than letting them rot.

The best part is most of the technology we need is already here! To the future!!!