How do you make Linux more popular?

Linux hit 4% desktop OS marketshare not too long ago. But it's still far away from competing with Windows or macOS. Question is - how do you make Linux more popular on desktop?

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Host, Writing: Gvidas Mirinauskas
Editing: Gabija Ruzgaitė
Camera: Nerijus Januška

#linux #windows #surfshark

[deadfry]

if anyone advertises Linux it would be gabe newell

[redstoneninja]

My school used Linux, not just the schools, every government organisation uses Linux here, and they give a Linux laptop installed with a customised Ubuntu for every student and government employee, it's helped a lot with the popularity of Linux in my state, almost everybody is aware of Linux here. It happened mostly due to a moment in the 2000s where a bunch of free software foundation members convinced the government to use Linux, now the government also has a dedicated department to contribute to open source and develop tools

[Deftera]

The problem isn't with Linux, it's with companies that don't release compitable versions for their software (even on wine). I heard of so much people just saying that their favorite adobe software / game doesn't work, and it's mainly a problem with anti-cheats.

[Seraph__A]

I think one of the problems with Linux growth as a Desktop is the... what is it called? "Chicken and Egg problem"? Developers/Companies keep saying that they wish to port their apps to Linux but always keeps saying that Linux isn't big enough, but then at the same time if all of these apps were on Linux it will skyrocket Linux Growth.

A lot of the times it feels like just them making excuses or are just waiting for somebody else to take the leap.

An example of a Company that does this is Epic games with Fortnite.

[kaze-xo]

"How do you make Linux more popular?"
Windows 11: hold my bloatware

[CubeINC-]

Valve realized that it would be better to have a machine optimized for gaming rather than having something optimized for compatibility.

[dairhat]

My teacher used Linux, the laptop was so slow when it ran Windows 10, but she booted Linux and it ran so smoothly, it became usable for work.

[Dr_McKay]

If linux is going to become popular with the average user then it absolutely needs to be possible/easy to do 100% of daily tasks without ever going into the terminal.

[Kolenmeister]

we used linux at school because my teacher really liked it

[jesse]

To me, the primary reason why Windows is on most PCs is because they got their foot in the door with OEMs to make sure their OS was installed on computers that were sold to the public. They practically have a monopoly on it, so of course it's on most computers.

[Void_Dragon]

2:55 I know why they dropped it, Sony said "Due to security concerns" since players could modify how the PS3 could work online from Linux with GeoHots Root key that got him into legal water and is no longer allowed to own any Sony device ever again. It allowed for self-signing of executables. So anything would be able to run without needing a "jailbreak". He even has a website that shames Sony for suing him that's still up.

[rafaelpalmalima]

Thanks for discussing this topic! I'm a long time Linux user and I like when creators outside the Linux world discuss how Linux could succeed... this feels like a lot of people are rooting for Linux to succeed, even people who are not Linux users... and this makes me happy

[dewrygwyllgi]

If Sony wants to make the PS5 into a desktop PC they might as well use FreeBSD since the PS5, PS4 and PS3 all use FreeBSD

[hokus.pokusss]

Only 2 things: job and gaming.
I don't want to do hacking to make things work. I want to install and don't think about it.

[kittenzrulz]

The problem is there are major Linux organizations, the problem is the vast majority of them are focused on enterprise and servers. The Linux desktop simply isnt profitable so why would anyone advertise it?

[ashwinjadhav]

He feels like a Linux enthusiast rather than a VPN company yt channel

[FengLengshun]

How? Well, finish up the whole stack of GNU + Linux + system-d + Mesa + Pipewire + Wayland + Portals + KDE/GNOME + Flatpak/Snaps so that people can use it as easily as they can Windows and Android. Then, we just need time until Microsoft mess up enough time until we got to the point where there's enough users that application developers and manufacturers sees value in supporting us. We need that strong base and then we need to hit critical mass with Microsoft's help.

[rebstrike]

The reasons why I haven’t fully switched over is
1) Lack of software support
2) It’s way too easy to accidentally destroy your OS

[marcus_cole_]

Realistically, Linux only needs four things:

1. **Core OS:** The main backbone of the OS. If you want to change the layout, the graphics style, the plugins, etc., you're welcome to do it.
2. **Core App Store:** This is where all apps go and where you download all apps. You can choose the style of app—flatpack, instant install pack, or whatever.
3. **A very good advertisement.**
4. **Decent user privilege system:** Plug and play. Click, click, click. No command line required.

With a root OS and a root store, anyone would be able to use Linux. From there, if you want to do a distro edit, go right ahead. You want to put in a different store? Go ahead! You want to go back to the command line and change everything? Go ahead. But the root OS and the root store have to be standardized. Every single OS has to fundamentally flow through the core, which must be easy to install and easy to navigate by default. If you can navigate like Windows and buy applications like Android, Linux could actually take a dominant path. At most, you would have a system that boots up and asks what style you want: gaming, editing, surfing, business, security. And you'd get the appropriate system with no need to figure out distros.

As for your Windows computer, it's not useless in 2025. If it still does the job, it works. If you can still run the game, it works. If you can still run the program, it works. If you can still surf the web, it definitely works. So stop fear mongering.

[YoStu]

A lot of basic stuff is still difficult or impossible to do in Linux. Want to undervolt GPU? Windows: just adjust sliders in MSI Afterburner. In Linux: tinker with command line apps, parameters, config files and scripts. Linux apps need more GUI.