I got my first computer in 1998. It was a used laptop with Windows 95 on it. I was fascinated with encryption and I was soon lurking on the Cypherpunks mailing list. On there I learned the cool kids all used Linux. I wanted to be cool, so I tried to install Linux in dual boot mode on my computer. That messed up Windows and I couldn't get it reinstalled, so it's been Linux ever since. Linux was hard back then and I had to go to Linux user groups to learn how to use it. Today it's easy. I installed Linux Mint Mate on my tech clueless sister's computer and she had no trouble with it.