As for new users and Linux, it was almost totally transparent for my family. As the system admin, I had to spool up a bit - but trying to defend/maintain a multiuser Windows home network was starting to take way too much of my time and money. I couldn't compete with three other users shopping for malware while I was at work. I finally decided any of my dedicated computer time at home was going to go to learning Linux. Now I'm back in the black and have time for other things. Now I deal-boot to XP about once a month.
Very happy I made the switch.
I've gotten to the point where I find myself bored at times :-P
You don't know what you've got until it's gone.........