Linux did turn lame on MOST distros, thanks to systems and the general degeneracy of Lennart Poettering, so I see how that arc might happen. And the BSD's are fine but not really the most polished as a desktop experience. As far as I'm concerned though Apple is still the Fischer Price of technology. 

Slackware is still true to form and I don't see any reason to switch. 

 Install Gentoo like a real man

 

 I have no hate for Gentoo but Slackware works just fine and always had the best sysvinit set up around. If Pat ever gives it up Gentoo (or a derivative) would likely be my only option before jumping to a *BSD. 

 I was bummed to see Dylan Araps disappear, and abandon the KISS Linux project.  That, or something like it, is the route I would go if I were doing Linux again.