Does Ubuntu still have advertisements for Amazon search and whatever other crap they were pushing?
You can run MATE with the Mutiny desktop preset, if performance is an issue. It's essentially the same workflow as on the old Unity 2D, and it isn't even Ubuntu specific.
> Without Ubuntu, we would probably have no Steam Linux client.
SteamOS is actually based on Debian, and Steam is even in the Debian non-free repos.
No. In comparison it is unstable in ways that make Gnome look like NASA software.
It often forgets it is Mutiny and no other of the presets.
Quality wise it is still way below Unity.
It is very nice to have a good set of software offered in a central repository - that is how software is distributed in many Linux systems - but many Linux users tend to customize their systems to their own needs. This is very easy to accomplish with Linux, that is actually the point in using it.
You should try it and maybe you can experience that it is also a very self-enabling experience to get out of that consumer mindset and finally start to "own" you operating system. It will also make you a better developer.
From what I know there is no pre-installed Amazon advertisements, at least I did not see such a thing for many years with Xubuntu - this is a very slick variant of Ubuntu that comes with the XFCE Desktop. You see, you can even change the desktop environment quickly.
Even if there was something installed by default that you do not like, I am sure as a proud HN contributor you will be able to learn quickly how to "apt remove package-i-do-not-like". Overall it is very recommended to dive a little bit into the fantastic package management system - this is also a very good learning experience for aspiring developers!
Only one warning: if you once understood what "software freedom" really means, there is no way back, also you will look with a mixed feeling of compassion and incomprehension on people that are still using commercial operating systems, which simply can not compete with that level of freedom - which is really worth jumping some obstacles in the beginning, but these are very minimal nowadays.
Have fun!
You still need to set the gpu to handle vsync or you'll get page tearing though.