> even getting Flash in the browser was a huge pain in the ass
One thing that you have to remember is that what is easy and hard in Linux is different than what is easy and hard in Windows and MacOS.
Flash is one example. Since it is not Free and Open Source Software, the Linux distributions cannot redistribute it to you without risking being sued by Adobe. So if you want Flash you will need to jump some hoops.
On the other hand, if the software you want is in your distro's package repository then the installation experience blows Windows and MacOS out of the water.
One thing that you have to remember is that what is easy and hard in Linux is different than what is easy and hard in Windows and MacOS.
Flash is one example. Since it is not Free and Open Source Software, the Linux distributions cannot redistribute it to you without risking being sued by Adobe. So if you want Flash you will need to jump some hoops.
On the other hand, if the software you want is in your distro's package repository then the installation experience blows Windows and MacOS out of the water.