content: this has been known since the late 90s.  before then who knows how long it's been around.  linux or nothing, if you give two shits about exposure.  I personally have 2 separate boxes (min) running, only one has windows.  If I'm not gaming on it, it doesn't go near microsoft.  Mostly for reasons not related (software costs, supporting/belief in open source, etc).  Privately compiled OSes will never be secure.