I've bee using Linux for 23 + years and I've used every Gdistribution fron Debian to RedHat Enterprise Linux Workstation and inbetween. I've always derived an extreame statisfaction from either tweeking and modifying and compiling software from sources or even replaceing the default applications for example I like to replace Libreoffice with apopachee openoffice if its at all possable.
Same here, although you have me beat on the number of years. I' m really enjoying dinit at the moment. Which init did you pick?