So yeah, I am going to start this off saying I use Linux. I love Linux, but the community and others will not let it improve. It’s time to change.

Here’s all the reasons I think Linux will never take off, don’t forget that you can also add input and that I am a human being, so please don’t be angry if you can help it. Just tell me your perspective. I know I will get lots of flack for this, but here we go:

  • Idealism, if Linux was going to take over innately it already would have

  • History (let’s be honest it’s like a discord server if it doesn’t take off all at once it never will)

  • It’s inaccessible (terminals cannot replace everything. I’m talking to you if you say “bloat”)

  • There’s only corporate funding, so they will appropriate it

  • We tolerate people who don’t tolerate others (including the less tech-savvy)

  • Microsoft has way too much power (money)

  • Few people remember RMS started copyleft as a political goal (too many people are uncomfortable challenging their beliefs, so they want Linux to be “apolitical”)

  • No one is doing the political organizing

  • Copyleft is flawed and needs to be improved (here’s a template example https://thufie.lain.haus/NPL.html) [also mind you that there’s a need to prevent corporate appropriation]

  • People worship RMS instead of realizing he alienates women, people with down syndrome, etc.

  • CHEF-KOCH
    -2•2 years ago

    You are not the only one cursed with knowledge arguments. 😅

    • Nothing wrong with idealism, depends on how you define it in such regard. I say the idea of Linux was a success.
    • Some distros tying to address your terminal argument there is btw LinuxFX and other Windows closes, which are mainly designed to imitate Windows or for Windows switcher.
    • I think the Copyleft thing can be solved with AGPL and other licenses who are more designed to protect xyz, which depends on what you choose. Linux itself is fine here because I see it as community work, I do not see how lets say Microsoft can fake or buy people for their purposes, lots of people work in their free time on the OS or within the community e.g. documentation, forum help and so on. The NPL stuff you linked is just a bad idea in general.

    Here is when you are wrong

    • Money is not always a deciding factor for success.
    • Most super-computers and statistically most devices already run some sort of Linux, even if its just Android or a IoT device because Windows works badly on IoT devices. There are benchmarks etc to support this. Desktop maybe overall - for now - a different story but more because other factors and support reasons, which can be addressed over time.
    • There is not only corporate funding, you can get findings via independent contracts and deals, donations and startups. Open Collective is a nice platform some people use, Obs Studio and others to manage their income, or to let them manage by others.
    • RMS does not represents the entire Linux community. I think not much oldschool people worship him nor is that an factor why the Desktop system will, according to you, never take off.
    • I think Linux does tolerate all people, this is no argument at all. As mentioned there are lots of distros designed for beginners, the are well documented and well-discussed in forums.