I'm glad you've got Linux working beautifully for you, but the thing is not ready for general use. OS X is open source done right. Linux is still playing catchup on the desktop, though it's making good strides.
All I had to get Linux working right was to have the courage to install it.
I haven't had to tweak much at all - and I have not done a single thing to avoid virus and other such problems. Mozilla and such work just fine to kill any spyware - the operating system itself is not easy for viruses to crack.
Linux now is ready for general use.