I use Linux too, 50% of my computing time at the office and 100% at home. I also use Debian based distributions, having tried (among others) Knoppix Linux, Ubuntu Linux, Damn Small Linux, and am now very happily using Mepis Linux.
I recently tried an online Debian installation. It worked really well and installed without a hitch. The only problem was that when I got to the command line I felt a bit like someone who had just bought a new Ferrari, but whose legs were not long enough to reach the pedals. A short while later I found and tried Mepis Linux, and I have absolutely no trouble using it.
I think the average Windows user would find it extremely easy to use. I have found nothing that Mepis cannot easily do, yet. Linux is finally user-friendly! Yay! Just in time!