So I played with the XFCE desktop and found it limited. I decided to install Linux Mint 14 a several months ago and love it. It is now my new desktop of choice.
One of the changes this time was that I stay with the default applications, Firefox and Thunderbird. I was very disappointed in Evolution in Linux Mint 14. It did not import my past emails and did not function right. Not sure why.
I am hoping that Linux Mint continues to rock.