Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Why don't more people use desktop Linux? I have a theory you might not like (www.zdnet.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I'm curious to hear thoughts on this. I agree for the most part, I just wish people would see the benefit of choice and be brave enough to try it out.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I literally don't think the plethora of choices has anything to do with why Linux is not installed by the masses. The only reason is that Microsoft and Apple are huge market forces with the ability to advertise, make deals with other business partners, pre-install their operating systems onto hardware that's sold, operate technical support services, and so on. They have completely flooded the market with their stuff.

Linux has these things, too, but nowhere in scale or scope, and with relative industry latecomers to sell it. If Linux were created 10-12 years sooner and companies like Suse, RH, Canonical, System76 were all formed earlier than they were I think we'd see a healthy amount of Linux out in the world, with maybe a few percent higher market share (which would be extremely massive).

Keep in mind that Apple, as a company, rebuilt itself truly not on the technical excellence of Macintosh, but by driving sales of iPods then iPhones.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Apple's success came from Microsoft's negligence. Too many people had Windows XP computers at home wrecked with toolbars and spyware and garbage.

And people gladly left for a walled garden platform that locked down everything and didn't require them to administer their own systems.

The biggest success in the Linux world has been Chromebooks and Android, where Google administers the system for the user.

Most people don't choose linux because they can't administer their own system. A system that lets them administer however they want has no appeal to them. They instinctively know they can't handle that responsibility. They need their hands held.