Suggestions on...

[Linux_junkie]

...Linux distributions that allow you (the user) to download and upgrade any application/desktop/kernel from the developers own sites without having to wait for updates from the distributors server like the one from Ubuntu.

[mainerror]

...Linux distributions that allow you (the user) to download and upgrade any application/desktop/kernel from the developers own sites without having to wait for updates from the distributors server like the one from Ubuntu.

What?

[Sub101]

If you want a system you are in control of try Arch. But it is a step up in terms of difficulty.

If you just want to have new software, then you CAN do that with Ubuntu.

For example Eclipse is version 3.5.2 in the repos, but version 3.6.1 is available online. So simply go to the website, download and install.

If you want more cutting edge then you can always use the "proposed" updates, or the "unsupported" updates. The setting can be change in synaptic -> Settings -> repositories.

[juancarlospaco]

Ubuntu.

You can use Arch repos on Ubuntu, be a man and compile.

[red_Marvin]

As far as I know there is no linux distribution that stops you from doing that.