

Security is not as huge of a problem on linux as it is on windows for sure. But EVERY SINGLE proprietary app you use can snoop on EVERYTHING. and I do not trust proprietary apps, beginners especially will use a ton of proprietary software. Remember that we’re recommending to a beginner, not a linux evangelist who is willing to do anything to make linux/foss work for them.
i don’t trust them either but from what i have seen most don’t care
The only reason I see for a beginner not to choose KDE over xfce is if they have a laptop from the 32 bit era.
this is a bit of a stretch
the development rate is a deciding factor for sure and i agree that we shouldn’t encourage using software that is considered “obsolete”
i don’t agree on everything and maybe you’re right i still don’t get why they dropped support for kde but still support MATE
what cpu did you get (celeron, i3, i5, i7 or amd ???)