Wow, that was a short experiment with KDE.
Found via worldofgnome.org
Usally debian iso images install the complete meta package when internet access is available during install. That's not optimal for KDE and certainly not for Gnome. This way you get lots of completely useless stuff on hd. Debian as base is really a very good thing, but it is much smarter to install only the "good" packages. Kanotix focus is on productifity and out of the box experience - without completely filled menus.
I think GNOME 3 is worse than the proprietary interfaces. While GNOME 2 was much better.
I used to think Windows 7 was a mess, but after a while you get used to it and its alright. Even though GNOME 2 or GNOME 3 with Fallback Mode is nicer. GNOME 3 with GNOME Shell is worse though.
Windows 8 with that Metro shit is even worse. But you can get it to behave more sane like Windows 7 with Classic Shell.