Desktop linux has a ways to go before it's ready for "normal" users.
Yes, yes, yes, you have a story about how your parents (sibling|partner|friend|etc) are using linux and don't even notice/care. They have you directly supporting them and I'll call you a liar if you say you've never had to support them. Even if it's just "Netflix won't stream high quality to me". Even in our browser-based world you still often need to install some software and good luck explaining why they can't run Photoshop or MS Office.
All of the reasons listed here simply don't matter to the vast majority of the target audience.
Linux is amazing, I use it every day, I'm surrounded by machines running it in my personal and professional life, but this seems misguided. A bunch of us nerds can cheer it on but people who you are trying to target aren't going to be interested.
jrepinc · 18h ago
Yeah sure I have to support them, but I had to do the same when they were still on Windows. With them using GNU/Linux now I have to support them far less, and far less often and I can more easily do it remotely. Linux just runs more stable and is more resilient to breakage. So even here it is not just better for the family/friends, it is also better with GNU/Linux for me as I have to spend less time on offering support.
Yes, yes, yes, you have a story about how your parents (sibling|partner|friend|etc) are using linux and don't even notice/care. They have you directly supporting them and I'll call you a liar if you say you've never had to support them. Even if it's just "Netflix won't stream high quality to me". Even in our browser-based world you still often need to install some software and good luck explaining why they can't run Photoshop or MS Office.
All of the reasons listed here simply don't matter to the vast majority of the target audience.
Linux is amazing, I use it every day, I'm surrounded by machines running it in my personal and professional life, but this seems misguided. A bunch of us nerds can cheer it on but people who you are trying to target aren't going to be interested.