I started using Ubuntu two years ago by installing the Xubuntu 9.04 and then
proceeded to install Gnome and a selection of extra packages I needed.

I am forced to migrate to a new version since 9.04 is no longer supported.

I was planning on installing Xubuntu 12.04 mainly for the LTS feature thinking
that it would be supported for 5 years much like the standard version.
However Xubuntu is only supported for 3 years.

My Questions:

1. With standard Ubuntu 12.04, could one resort to a simpler / more traditional look
   than Gnome Unity?
   If so will the rest of the installed packages and functionality remain usable and
   functional?




2. Could one resort to installing Xubuntu 12.04 instead and add extra packages
   from the repository as needed?




3. Am I right in assuming that Xubuntu 12.04 and Ubuntu 12.04 share the same
   repository? In which case:

   
   
   
   
   
   1. Why/how is it said that Xubuntu 12.04 has support for 3 years versus
      the 5 years support offered for Ubuntu 12.04?
   
   
   2. Could an Xubuntu 12.04 installation continue upgrading from the 12.04
      (Precise Pangolin) repositories with given that they ought to be
      around for 5 years to honour the commitment to standard Ubuntu 12.04?