this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2024
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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In my opinion, you're solving the wrong problem with the wrong solution.
The user base for Canonical, Red Hat and SUSE is not the general public watching traditional TV to decide that they want to install Linux across their enterprise data centre, it's ICT professionals who talk to other ICT professionals and read white papers and implementation guidelines, then pay installation, management and subscription fees to get ongoing support across their shiny new data centre.
Growing the user base with mums and dads is not something that Linux vendors are interested in, since it only costs money instead of generating an income stream.
Linux as a commodity comes from rolling out Android phones and tablets, from deploying embedded Linux on network routers, security cameras, in-car entertainment systems, set top boxes, etc.
The final hurdle for general desktop Linux is not resolved by getting more users through advertising, it's through having a product that can be purchased. Chromebooks were promising, but missed the mark.
System76 are trying, but the scale is too small and Linux isn't ready as a general computing platform yet. I say that having been a Linux user for 25 years.
If you don't agree with that last statement, consider what all computer manufacturers would do at the drop of a hat if they thought it would be cheaper, they'd drop Windows like the hot mess it is.
Unfortunately, it's still cheaper to pay the Microsoft tax because the associated support network is already in place for the general public.
That's not there, yet, for Linux.
It remains to be seen if ever will be.