Do We Want Linux to Go Mainstream?
Added 2021-03-16 02:12:06 +0000 UTCI published a video this week about Linux being too hard to install, and one of the comments there got me thinking: Do we really want Linux to go mainstream?
I think the answer has to be no, in general, mostly, kinda. What we want is for Linux to be more popular with developers so that software is made to support it. Or more specifically, so that software is built to support all platforms.
As they say, apps are where it's at.
On the other hand, I don't think that we want Linux market share to go to where Windows is at. At least not right now. It is possible that the Linux ecosystem would crumble under the weight of that many people. We don't have the support structures in place to deal with so many people having problems installing Ubuntu. Most people when they have a problem expect support from whoever provided the software, whereas the Linux community expect support to come from forums and Telegram groups and so on.
It would also bring in bad actors who develop malware and viruses that, again, Linux isn't prepared to deal with, and might never be.
I think that there is a sweet spot for Linux. Maybe around 5% of the market. Not big enough to attract bad actors but big enough (like Mac) to support a large developer ecosystem.
The question then becomes how do we reach that point, because Linux is fairly well stuck at 2-3%. I think the answer there is getting more hardware vendors to carry Linux machines. And also for them to stop being treated like second class citizens. Dell has been doing Ubuntu laptops for years. But they are so far buried on their website that you need an archeologist to actually find them.
I think it's also important for budget options to start to appear. The average Windows laptop that people actually buy is around $600. There aren't a lot of Linux first devices around that price point. Most are way over (looking at you System76). And the ones that undercut that price aren't as good as the Windows devices at the same price point.
