Would a ring magnet around a copper tube be slowed? if a ring-shaped magnet was dropped with a copper pole through the center would it be slowed the same as a cylindrical magnet in a copper tube? if so would it be slowed more or less?
 A: In a word, yes.
Eddy currents are induced in conductors exposed to changing magnetic fields. Those currents specifically counter the change in magnetic flux the conductor is experiencing. That's Lentz's law. Or, more formally it's faraday's law. Part of Maxwell's equations describing how classical electromagnetism works on a fundamental level.
Translation:
Dropping a cylinder magnet in a metal tube? Slowed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H31K9qcmeMU
Dropping a ring magnet around a metal tube? Still slowed.
Sliding a ring magnet along a metal sheet? Slowed
Sliding a regular magnet along a metal sheet? Slowed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KsnKHsD3Ak
Swinging a conducting pendulum through poles of a horseshoe-type magnet? Slowed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHwvbywdpuQ
Dropping a magnet directly onto a conductor? Slowed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajjoi2CfI20
Dropping a square magnet through a thick metal tube? Slowed
Rolling a thick metal tube towards a magnet? Slowed
Ahh, but plot twist. Leaving a magnet stationary inside a tube and then lifting it up? Sped up (since resisting the "move the magnet away from the tube" change in flux would require the magnet to move along with the tube).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7leJTZ6E48
Rule of thumb: If you're trying to speed up the magnet or tube, eddy currents will slow them down. If you're trying to slow down the magnet or tube, eddy currents will speed them up.
