So far, after a tiny period of adjustment to "modern" Linux, the impact has been:
- Utter boredom.
Things "just work". They work fast. They do what I ask. They don't argue. They don't pressure me. They don't get in my way. Updates sit quietly and wait for me, then install with the smallest impact possible, and in extremis require a maximum of 1 reboot, on my schedule, with my permission, no forcing of it.
The OS... is basically invisible to me.
Which is how it should always have been and how it used to be in the past. It shouldn't be any more than a glorified application launcher.
This has been my experience as well. It used to be pretty garbage, but now things seem fine. Most apps I wanted were even available, no need to search for alternatives.
What's baffling are the "people" like the person who replied to you saying your story is "made up." To who's benefit could it be to make up "I'm using a free operating system for free and it works" be?
Surprise due today. Also the rent.