Kassem wrote- open-source (so I assume I could tweak it the way I want).
Theoretically yeah, but you it will take you some time before you start hacking the thing correctly. What is great is that so many softwares will be available to you in an instant.
- it is hard to install (at least harder than installing windows which is very straight forward)
Bullshit. Mint install is as easy as Next>Next>Next>Finish. All you really have to do is chose a Language, username and password. You also get the Live CD experience.
The only thing that is (a little bit) complicated is the use of the partitioner. But if you are willing to remove Windows from your machine, it's gonna be child's play.
- it doesn't have an impressive GUI like Mac OS or even windows.
Go check out a project called 'Compiz' on Youtube. Linux has come a long way since crappy UIs. It's still not perfect, but it's far from ugly.
- things are done differently
YES!
- much more secure than windows
And also more performant, faster, simpler, more stable ...
- everyone who used it (the right way) simply loved it
Personally, I became a geek the day I installed Ubuntu. I have to admit that by giving up Windows I did some sacrifices (flash, peripherals, some awesome Mac fonts, ...)
- it is not for "everyone" and I mean it's not a good OS to use if you're getting started with computers.
Absolutely wrong, and you will notice that yourself. The only difficulty of using a linux system like Mint or Ubuntu, is losing Windows reflexes. If you're getting started with computers and have no prior Windows experience, Linux will be easier.
Mint is all you need to start, even though you shouldn't spend too much time on it. It is not the most powerful distro nor the most customizable, but it is extremely easy to use.
Linuxfromscratch, the distro BashLogic mentions could be the best to learn, but it will be a 1000 times easier to start with Mint (or even Ubuntu)