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by Jtsummers 2853 days ago
Linux has too many options. Mainstream users want to be able to get the same thing (or near it) on every computer they use. If I install Linux and you install Linux, are they the same? Maybe. But if we both install Windows or both install macOS? Yes. These options become intimidating. It's the same reason many people stuck with Windows XP until their computers caught fire or whatever other reasons they had to finally abandon it.

Gaming is also a factor. A better gaming story would drive up adoption amongst gamers and maybe spread to the people in their circles. But you'd have to have one or two distros that were particularly good for gaming that the majority of them used.
2 comments
freedomben 2853 days ago
> Linux has too many options. Mainstream users want to be able to get the same thing (or near it) on every computer they use.

While I personally rejoice at the choice, unfortunately I believe you are right. I have switched quite a few people to Linux, technical and non-technical. The technical people tend to get excited about choice, and sometimes go read for hours on the different DE options. Non-technical people get a look of anxiety on their face, and even a little panic. I started defaulting *younger users to Gnome 3 and older users to MATE, and it has been a terrific decision.

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misterbowfinger 2853 days ago
> But you'd have to have one or two distros that were particularly good for gaming that the majority of them used

Right, that's probably closer to what I'm getting at. There's probably always going to be a bunch of options for Linux, but there should (?) be a few main ones for most people. And then anyone who wants to customize can then customize to their liking.

But it'll all be open source, not proprietary

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