My Linux development machine runs Kubuntu mainly because I like Konsole and Konqueror. I've been watching gnome development ever since it was released in response to KDE. I personally don't see the attraction of gnome, but I understand many do prefer gnome so more power to them.

Lately I've been using Netbeans IDE for java/c++/ruby/various. I have used code::blocks, Eclipse, emacs, and vim with good success.

For my appliance-like devices I tend to run something lightweight, like XFCE, blackbox or fluxbox.