I ran it 2003-2006ish.
Having a package manager that updates online was a game changer for Linux distributions.
I had been using slackware for 6 years prior, and there was no real update path. Best case you'd just get the latest release on CD and install it over your (hopefully) separate root partiton.
Conpiling all your stuff sounded like a good idea in the age of the architecture options at the time. Alpha, Crusoe, PowerPC, SPARC and MIPS were all viable options.
Yes, but now you get all the bad news streamed straight to you 24/7.
Previously you would have to pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV at the right time to hear about it.