... when a user tries to switch from
a proprietary OS to a free OS, the switching of the core operating
system is likely nearly invisible to them; but they often are also
switching many of the applications that they use every day, and this is
where it becomes such a difficult transition and a steep learning curve.
But, some (many?) of these free software applications can also run on
proprietary OSs (2). So, my advice to a novice who is using a
proprietary OS and wants to begin with Debian, or any other free OS, is
to start by using free software on their proprietary OS.