golden_kingdo you see linux ever having 10 - 20 % market share in desktop space?
Probably, but it would be a lot easier if the Linux community coalesces around one main distro. If that happens, they could challenge Microsoft. Otherwise, probably not.
It’s hard to see that being a good thing
But then I think that’s the mentality which has led to the failure to capitalise on Microsoft’s unpopularity over many years. To be honest.
I understand where you’re coming from, but of course the Linux I want to use is not a business with a centralized marketing department vying for market share. It’s something that I can customize and make into whatever I want it to be.
I think that’s why many people want to use Linux - they’re not pigeonholed into decisions made to gain market share, they’re free to choose whatever works well for them.
Paradoxically, 20 plus years ago people chose PCs and Microsoft over Apple for much of the same reason. We could select our own hardware from any manufacturer, easily run our own executables and develop code in any direction desired.
I’m not really saying that has to change. I’m certainly not for it becoming a corporate thing. We have to fight against that 100%. But I would say you can have your Arch, Cachy, or whatever. The tinkerers can do their niche thing in the corner. But if you ever want it to be widely used, you have to present Ubuntu, or Fedora, or Mint, as “Linux” as far as the general public are concerned. If that doesn’t happen, then it won’t matter how unpopular Microsoft becomes.