I tried the same experiment with my 8 year old daughter, but using Kubuntu (the KDE desktop) instead of Ubuntu (the Gnome desktop).

She has been using Windows XP for about 2 years, mostly for games, school projects, looking up stuff on the Internet, graphics and posters (for science fairs and stuff).

I set the menus in Kubuntu to look nearly identical to Windows.

She transitioned wihtout batting an eyelash.

When I had tried the experiemtn with Ubuntu (Gnome), it was frustrating for both her and for me.

The experiment with the afrorementioned girlfriend was the wrong experiment.