If you want things done slow and right, use Debian. Part of being a highly fragemented market (which the Linux desktop is) is that each distribution needs to find its own niche. Debian has the slow and stable niche pretty well covered. Ubuntu's distinguishing factor is that it is more cutting edge, and has more personality to it. Simmilarly, Fedora also states on its about page that its goal is to stay cutting edge at the cost of stability.
