This is going to get flamed by Linux fans anyway so I'm going all out:- Install Windows 7: Its the daddy! I know the arguments Stability, Boot-time, blah blah blah. The simple facts are that Windows 7 has 34% of the market.
Linux products 5%. I'm not saying this proves that Windows 7 is better, I'm not even sure that's the case, but when there is that wide of a consumer base that uses a product you have to ask "Can they all be wrong?
Used all the systems you mention the one that gets my vote is linux mint but with the lxde system,very light on the netbook, however as mentioned above ubuntu make a netbook edition.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.