I guess I am not a linux newbi. I know my way around a unix box I just haven't used it as my primary work station ever. So things like compatibility with all the popular stuff comes into play.

If you're familiar with the command line, then the only OS I like personally is Arch Linux. You start with nothing more than a Bash shell (seriously, it doesn't even have an installer), install your OS onto a disk with a couple commands, and then install whatever software you want. I install the XFCE desktop environment and Firefox, and go from there. Arch doesn't try to babysit you or do things for you; you will be editing lots of plaintext config files from the shell. But it almost never breaks, because it only does what you explicitly tell it to. Very simple OS, great package management, cutting edge software, wonderful documentation.

To be clear, I do NOT recommend it for folks who don't want a learning curve. But once you've over that curve, it is a haven from shitty operating systems.

I second this. I used Arch for around four years and it was a wonderful experience.

Funnily enough, I recently switched back to Windows from Arch. Linux's ecosystem was just too depressing for me. Windows 10 makes me sad though because it had the potential to be great were it not for all the privacy issues.

That sounds exactly like what I was looking for. Thanks! I'll have a look.

Make sure to check out the Arch Wiki[1]. If you use DuckDuckGo you can easily search it using !AW.

[1] https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Main_page

It was my first Linux distro 8 years ago, and it's still the only operating system I can stand today. Again, it has a big learning curve, but I love it :) Hope it goes well for you.