I recently downloaded and run the Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Desktop Live CD and I must say I was quite impressed with what I saw. With his "out of the box" clean and well organized interface I think this is the most user-friendly Linux distribution I have ever seen until now.
There are no unnecessary desktop shortcuts, no unnecessary menu items and no unnecessary installed application. The standard Ubuntu installation contains a selection of useful applications more that enough for a desktop user to get started.

Such installed applications are:

• OpenOffice 2.0 for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations
• Mozilla Firefox for web browsing
• Gimp for image editing
• Evolution for email and calendaring
• Audio and Video tools

With this release I think Ununtu is heading in the right direction to gain more consideration among desktop users.

Way to go Ubuntu!