What allure? The goal of seeing the US titans of the software industry replaced by free clones often coming from questionable sources from around the globe? Replace every Bill Gates with a Linus Torvalds, and every Steve Jobs with a Richard Stallman?
Having free alternatives to monopolistic, predatory, manipulative (ever hear of FUD?), proprietary operating systems companies. While I don't wish to see American companies be replaced, I don't like being limited in choices, either.
questionable sources
That's the beauty of open software. The source code is freely available for inspection. I don't care who wrote the code if it works and has reviewed. Have you seen any Microsoft source code lately?