Best Linux distro for beginners

No heat or stone-throwing, but five more experienced Penguin riders have recommended Mandrake 9.2 as being the easiest Linux option for beginners escaping from Windows. Also one vote for Debian, in which I'm already interested. Keep in mind that my recommendation was based on one thing and one thing only: I had it, I installed it and I got it up and running. That is the sum total of my knowledge with regards to the matter.