Desktop Interface Confusion Pt. 2

I loaded up Manjaro with the Spatry Cup 'o Linux features preloaded.  I used the xfce desktop, and the operating system worked flawlessly. 

Here's a few observations on the system:

• The black on black theme looks divine.  However, I had problems seeing which options I had selected in some of the screens.  This was especially difficult when I set up a VPN.
• The directions to set up almost anything in Manjaro are great.  
• You will do more work setting this system up for your needs than if you use Mint, BUT you will be paid back by the rolling updates.
• Dropbox is being difficult: while it works fine, setting up the program so Dropbox starts automatically is problematic at this point.  (Once I figure it out, though, this issue will fade quickly)
• Calibre loaded and installed easily
• The menus in xfce are easy to use and make sense.
• Everything on my vintage Toshiba Satellite M type with Harman Kardon sound set up effortlessly.
• Google Talk for Google Hang Outs went in easily, although I did encounter a few potential error codes from the package manager.  
• The package manager has all the programs other distros have.

The features loaded on the Operating System were just what I wanted.  The combination of Manjaro with Spatry's contribution is one of the best Linux systems I've encountered. 

Desktop Interface Confusion

I tried Manjaro with Openbox and I was confused.  Now, I am more confused because they aren't using Openbox anymore, it is Manjarobox.  No menus, and that tripped me up.  No Synapse or icons either.  I may have had the wrong resolution on the desktop video, but I don't think so.  Now I hear Linux Mint 17.1 is coming out, and they are addressing GUI issues within Mate.  Mint seems second nature and I like the menus in both Mate and Cinnamon.  Am I stuck in a rut, or do the rest of you experience similar problems with desktop UIs that are too avaunt guarde?  I never did well in the upgrade from Gnome 2 to 3 either.  I've used Gnome for a long long time....    Gnome 3 did work much better than Windows 8. 

Spatry with Sparty's Cup of Linux made a custom Manjaro  Linux .iso, so I think I will try out his.  He has a lot of good ideas, and I like his YouTube channel.  I also downloaded the xfce Manjaro release in case all else fails.  Manjaro, based on Arch has strengths because of the rolling upgrades.  Spatry is smart, because he is using xfce as his windows manager in the custom release.  Xfce is a great light weight window manager.  I usually avoid xfce because of limited support of multi-monitor environments.

And what is this with Groupon using the Gnome name for their Point of Sale?  They sent us one at work.  Nicely done, but we have no use for it because of the way our current registers work.  Still, though, they are abusing a FOSS name.  Seems the FOSS world has taken notice, by this article on the Gnome web site: https://engineering.groupon.com/2014/misc/gnome-foundation-and-groupon-product-names/ Hopefully they will phase out their usage of the name and get something else.