I would recommend gentoo for everybody, because of the very superior packet system. I started with debian like 6 or 7 years ago, and I've tested many different distros, but I've always liked gentoo best.
Debian's apt feels kind of crap after using gentoo's portage for awhile.
I've been searching for "the ultimate server distro" myself, but I havn't found anything much better than gentoo, so I'll stick to that untill I find something better.
For workstations I don't think there is anything better, though. Simpler and easyer stuff sure, but nothing that would be better, in my opinion.