Ubuntu 11.10 has removed simple configurable items like font size and screensaver into a non-default tool, making them much less accessible to non-hackers.
Combine this with all the usability changes in Unity (alt-tab affects all workspaces, etc.) and you have an environment I'm not too excited to work in.
I have really enjoyed Unity. I think there are a lot of very good UI choices that are better to the normal gnome desktop. I am bummed to hear that alt-tab affects all workspaces. That is one of the things that drove me crazy on OS X.
I just installed compizconfig-settings-manager, and in the Unity plugin, there is a setting where you can tell Compiz to prefer applications in your current viewport. I am no longer as concerned about the alt-tab change now.
Thanks for pointing out the alt-tab switch change. That's really annoying - as I use workspaces to group apps, so I can switch between them more efficiently.
Combine this with all the usability changes in Unity (alt-tab affects all workspaces, etc.) and you have an environment I'm not too excited to work in.