When was the last time you used Linux? Ten years ago I was compiling programs from source, and I do sometimes edit config files because I set up my own servers, but the average user can just use GUI config panels. My wife (very non-tech) uses Linux and rarely Windows.
I'm not saying there aren't problems. Apple took BSD (very close to Linux) and put a friendly front end on it. Even Ubuntu doesn't match Apple's or Microsoft's ease of use. Maybe Google will help out here.
It was a few years ago, probably back in 2005. I was administrating a Linux server at work. The need to edit configuration files wasn’t just because it was a server - most basic operations required that. That was probably a good thing for a server, but I just didn’t see a home user being able to do those things.
You’re probably right about the current versions though.