[Wuli]

Is Mozilla involved at all with Linux? Or, asked differently - in what ways is Mozilla involved with Linux? Merely as a user/users? Or more?

[who_would_fardels_bear]

There is only one Windows OS. There is only one Mac OS.

There are evidently now dozens of Linux OSes.

I think this is one of the problems.

[Kartographer]

Very good post excellent breakdown.

[Durus]

7 should be number 1, and 6 could actually be removed. Otherwise ya.

[Kartographer]

I would like to add one more thing that is there are a core group that personally HATE Microsoft more than they will ever hate any short fall or problem with/in Linux. Many would if they could go back to using a abacus rather then use Microsoft.

Face it there are more than a few Linux supporters who suffer a bit of MDS!

[AustinBill]

The article misses the most important factor of all: There's no such thing as Linux. That is, Linux is not an OS, it's a kernel. The kernel is the central part of an OS, but is not by itself in any sense complete or usable.

To create a usable Linux system you need a Linux distribution, which assembles the kernel along with other various "part kits" into something that can actually run and do useful work. The problem is there are literally hundreds of such distributions around, and several dozen that are considered "major" distributions (see Distrowatch for details).

How to choose one vs another? How are they supported? The answer is all over the map and this fragmentation is the primary reason why Linux never gained any real traction as a mainstream desktop OS. That's not a critique as it was originally a hobbyist system that "got away from itself" and went mainstream.

Even once you settle on a distribution you still have to customize it and find and install applications on it, which again tend to be quirky and with a few notable exceptions (e.g., web browsers) are at best irregularly supported.

Linux is the standard server OS because it is free and nearly infinitely customizable, which suits the needs of data centers who have a dedicated IT staff. For the home user, unless you yourself are a hobbyist it's simply not worth the bother as most people just want to use their computer and not tinker with it.

I'm not aware of any IT pro who would recommend their non-technical relatives try running Linux at home. I don't expect that to change.

[ConservativeMind]

Retail packages don’t work on it.

However, I do use Linux Mint in hopes it will be a good enough substitute for family, in the future.

[sparklite2]

No one needs Windows gaming, it’s a choice, not a requirement for sustaining life.

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No one needs most of the things they enjoy. Your inner nanny is showing.