Here is your almost daily dose of different views on the subject of Linux desktop readiness: “Linux is Desktop Ready“, “Why desktop Linux can’t succeed in its present state” and “Is the Age of Desktop Linux Approaching?” Enjoy the diversity!
Linux [Is/Is Not/Soon to be] Ready for the Desktop
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
Please, you’ve repeated the same fallacious statement over and over on this thread. Can’t you just give it a rest? Nobody takes trolls like you seriously anyway, especially not when you’re blatantly misrepresenting what the RedHat CEO has actually said.
Troll, what on earth… Maybe if I was 5 years old, that might make sense, but name calling did you get out of daycare early?
No, the CEO of Redhat stated to just use ‘Windows’……
That is a fact and now the whole linux community is in shock because they know linux is NOT ready for the desktop or ever will be.
Many treat GNU/Linux as a commercial product, which imho is not. It’s a collection of projects, which as a whole happens to fit some peoples’ needs. When appropriately configured this collection of software can be used both as desktop and server OS.
For the reason above, the phrase “Linux as Desktop OS” is invalid for me. Talk and argue about specific distributions. Those are the commercial products. Those try to be succesfull in the desktop. I know many can be freely downloaded, but since something can be bought, it is a product.
Don’t forget that the heart of the GNU project is the mass of people who develop software for it. I believe a linux application developer doesn’t care as much for publicity or usage statistics as for the sanity and stability of his work. Morover no-one forces the GNU project to be succesfull in the desktop and take the throne, instead of Windows. It just exists for those who have use for it.
You do know what a troll is, right? This common internet word describes someone who makes deliberately provoking statements in order to elicit a strong (usually emotional) response (it isn’t “troll” in the norse mythological sense, but rather in the fishing sense). This is what you’ve been doing here, so you’ve earned the moniker.
No, the CEO of Redhat stated to just use ‘Windows’……
In fact he did not. You’re just quoting the title from the article. In fact, what he said is “I would say that for the consumer market place, Windows probably continues to be the right product line” but he also said “We think that the enterprise desktop market place is much more strategic and has buyers whose needs we can exceed.”
In other words, he makes an important distinction between the home consumer market and the business desktop. In other words, he thinks Linux is “not-quite-there-yet-but-will-soon-be” for domestic users who are not computer literate, but “very-much-ready-and-then-some” for the business desktop.
Sorry to burst your bubble, I know you feel threatened and all (otherwise you wouldn’t feel such a need to provoke) but in fact the Linux community isn’t in shock about this statement. Some may agree that computer neophytes at home are better served by Windows, some may not. Szulik has made this kind of remark before, and it’s had little impact on Linux as a whole.
I personally think Linux is ready for a lot of desktops, even “newbie” desktops (as long as it’s pre-installed). That is why Microsoft has identified Linux as its #2 enemy, right after the “slumping economy.” Now, I don’t know, but I’m more inclined to trust MS execs on this one than just another anonymous Internet troll…
I find it amusing that so many say Linux is so simple to use.
um… it’s not!
Linux is a wonderful operating system! I know I love it… But as my desktop OS? No… it’s not ready for me yet.
And I’m not some stupid user who knows nothing about computers. I’ve been working with Linux since 1997 and I’ve installed it and configured it countless numbers of times. In fact I currently have three Linux boxes up and running on my LAN.
But I believe Linux still does fail to best Windows when it comes to ease of use. Even installing simple apps in Linux is a chore. As are things such as changing your screen resolution and refresh rate.
Linux is getting there, but it’s not there yet.
And Windows… it’s not as bad as it used to be. 2000 and XP are very stable and they’re also secure when behind a Linux firewall.
I run XP as my main desktop OS here, and I haven’t had any problems with it. It hasn’t crashed once! So it’s stable enough for me. It’s less work to use, and there’s more of the apps I need to use.
As for the ease of use issue… No, I’m not lazy.. I just don’t think that using my computer should be “work”.
Don’t get me wrong, Linux is a wonderful OS, and I myself have many uses for it.
But it’s not just ready for everyone’s desktop. It might be ready for some people’s desktops… But not for mine and not for the average person.
However… I do believe that it will be. It’s already come a long way since I started using it in ’97, and I figure in a couple more years it’ll be ready to take on Windows on the desktop! And I can’t wait for that day!
I made a mistake, Windows is the better overall choice for ‘home’ users. Linux is not ready for the desktop now, maybe in about 5-10 years. It would be better to just use ‘Windows’ like the head of Redhat stated to do.
“Talk and argue about specific distributions. Those are the commercial products.”
I agree with you, except for this.
Not all GNU/Linux distributions are _commercial_ products. Example: Gentoo Linux, Debian GNU/Linux, Fedora Linux are community driven.
However they’re all the end-product, including the GNU/Linux OS with several packages.
But I believe Linux still does fail to best Windows when it comes to ease of use. Even installing simple apps in Linux is a chore.
Urpmi and its front-end is very easy to use, so is Red Carpet. Then there’s autopackage, which brings Windows-style installer to Linux. And there’s always the Loki installer, which works like a charm.
“Dependency hell” is a thing of the past. Maybe you should try a more recent distro…
As are things such as changing your screen resolution and refresh rate.
That’s been solved as well. In KDE, there is a kcontrol item that lets you change screen resolution and refresh rate on the fly. I believe there is a Gnome control module for this as well.
I use Windows on all my home systems, linux is much harder to use for the average user.
Very mature, using my screen name to make me say the opposite of what I’d normally say, instead of actually trying to counter my arguments. Unfortunately for you, one only needs to look at the IP address field to see through your ruse (unlike you, I’ve got two constant IP addresses: one at home and one at work). I believe this falls under abuse, so I’ll report your post for moderation (after which they can mod this post down as well).
Actually, I do run Windows on one of my home systems. I use Windows every day at work. Unlike you, I don’t feel threatened by other OSes.
Now stop acting like a child.
I am reporting this also, posing as me on here.
“Hahaha!!!!”
It’s a possibility. Though less necessary then it used to be, if you ask me.
“It is a nice idea, but I am looking at how things are now, not in a perfect future.”
Hello world. We can change the future from the -current situation. We just need some ingredients. If one would like a certain game ported, just ask the authors. Time it takes: 5 minutes. Just sitting by ”no it won’t work” doesn’t give you native GNU/Linux game! No you got, yes you (and others, too!) can get.
“And helps a company make money and then be willing to make the software to begin with.”
With proprietary software with which power is centralized. They don’t sell you the software, they sell you a license which grants you to run the software. GPL and BSD licensed software for example, isn’t about the owner. Isn’t controlled by one organisation (company, gov).
“Does it still allow for dependency solving?”
Source: no. Static binaries: no. Dynamic binaries: sometimes.
It comes with Gentoo Linux btw.
“Again, the average person does not want to know these things. THey just want to use the software not learn to compile it. Also, there are subtle parts of compiling that are not easy for average users. This is why I actually use Gentoo (use flags
”
So then they can use a frontend, search for binaries. Gentoo comes with nice frontends for such. But such flags aren’t _needed_ to run the software.
“First the average user needs to learn how to use IRC.”
Oh come on. Ever been on Dalnet? Zillions of noobs and morons there, who are using IRC (or mIRC FWIW). They learned that program too. What you describe here isn’t what i see as ”average user”. The average user can use ie. XChat out of the box.
“Getting them to jump through hoops is not a way to win them over.”
Then i have to conclude i don’t care to win _them_. I care nada for lazy people. Zero. Zilch. Beyond my interests. If one wants something, one has to show initiave and willingness to learn. It would be awesome if one would do something back to the community somehow.
“Not very good alternatives.”
Blame NVidia for that one.
I hope it ain’t gonna be a trend.
But if the luser doesn’t want to learn this, then the luser does use something else. Who actually cares for such parasites?
“Why does it suck when it ain’t there?”
Well, there’s a lot of arguments for that one. Portability. Knowledge. Transparancy. Innovation. Decentralisation. Progression.
“For me, a computer is about getting a task done. For the average user, it is not about learning how to use the computer. It is about getting something done.”
I think it’s a serious mentality problem.
Yoda would say: ”As long as the workers work, it’s fine. When the workers don’t work, kick their ass, grap a stick, punch them, threaten them, go cry. Do not even think about investigating why.”
Politicians are good with that one (:
Basically, the war is over. Just like the browser war, time to move on.
Like the CEO of Redhat stated, just use ‘Windows’ on the desktop.
…do you need to lie in order to get your point across? You’re afraid of the truth? If not, then stop misrepresenting what the RedHat CEO said.
You know when people feel the need to twist the truth that they are getting desperate. This is exactly the impression you’re giving everyone: someone so desperate to dispel the Linux threat that he’s grasping at straws to spread the FUD.
Get a life
Looks like there’s a script kiddie trolling OSNews. I guess this thread is dead.
I’m I the only one enjoying the high barrier to hardcore Linux? It filters out incompetent and illiterate users on the fly. Take a look at the caliber of Linux/Unix users and compare them to their Windows/Apple counterparts. Knowledge permeates the veins of the hardcore Unix users.
Honestly, I’m one of those elitists who believe if you can’t compile a Linux kernel, you really don’t deserve to use Linux. And if you can’t do everything you can with a graphic user interface application on a command line application, then you should relegated to using Windows/Apple for life.
My point is, Linux isn’t for everyone. And honestly I don’t wish it to be. Using Linux is a scholarly endeavor. It is a learning process. And only those who are willing and determined to understand Linux, by its philosophy, by its history, by its drawbacks, by its benefits, by its community and by its technical superiority, truly deserve to use it and are rightly rewarded when they have accomplished such a herculean task.
Is Linux ready for the desktop? Yes, of course it is. Is Linux ready for everyone? No, of course not. In fact, it directly or indirectly filters a certain category of users. Even though I sound unfair and elitist, I must say I enjoy Linux’ filtering mechanism.
On the corporate front, Linux is outstanding for corporate desktop use. With the right distribution – for instance ximian desktop, the right training – introducing your employees to Linux and the Unix philosophy, and the right IT infrastructure – experienced Unix administrators, I doubt you’d be calling as much for support and services as you would with any other operating system deployed in the corporate environment.
For home use, once again Linux is the cheapest, easiest and best operating system to use. You can surf the world wide web, send and receive email, chat on the Internet, watch movies, listen to music, utilize office suites for productive purposes, read and write data to storage devices, and manage, manipulate and organize your data. For these basic home user tasks, Linux again is phenomenal.
I like to think of Linux users as a community of users. Rather than as a bunch of fanatics on a quest to accomplish the downfall of Microsoft. Or on a voyage to put Linux on every desktop on the face of the universe. I’d much rather leave that to commercial Linux distributions and ‘big business’ to take care of.
All,
I am sorry for what I son has done I caught him on my computer sending this messages. Please accept my apology and know that I have whipped him with my belt and grounded him from the computer.
Dad
That’s rich, indeed! 🙂
What a sorry 11-year old. Can’t even pronounce “Cthulhu” right…
im into IT(security) and i have been using linux for about a year at both work and home.
linux is definitely ready for enterprise but not ready for desktop. desktop linux maybe even not for the future.
i aint here trolling that linux cant do this and that. the problem lies somewhere else.
the user friendly of some desktop applications already exist. functionality maybe equal or even better to other oses someday around the next few years (ie Rhythmbox vs itunes).
the first key to linux user friendly is software installation. rpm, deb, apt-get, maybe the best linux can do is clicknrun from lindows. dependency hell is the inheritance from the development structure of linux. plus tons of distros/’standard’ this is a mess. maybe Autopackage is the answer who knows?
hardware detection is another misery. even someday user dont need to learn CLI to mount a portable harddrive. hardware manufacturer should provide the support for the os rather than the community/projects support the hardware/peripherals.
well more or less everything has to do with the os population. so is software selection already exist on other oses(win,mac). * game aside, cause we all know the reason why theres no games in linux, even mac.
ISVs and big companies like adobe, macromedia are reluctant to port their software to populate linux because they AFRAID, afriad of the free/open source software army of linux. after all its about $money.
the IT industry(ibm, sun, orable, novell bla bla bla) doesnt care about the idea of linux/open source. all they want is money. idont see any difference between them and microsoft.
after one year im back into the evil winxp. solely because my work/life/future. hey i hate to say this myself: windows is the most complete solution for desktop computing. by the way i respect mac too
“hardware detection is another misery. even someday user dont need to learn CLI to mount a portable harddrive.”
Actually Mandrake 9.2 has this really cool feature that automatically mounts and places an icon on the desktop when you plugin a portable HD/camera/etc.
yes i recall suse does that too in 8.2.
you need to understand im talking about overall hardware detection/installation/performance right here.
the bottom line: hardware manufacturers should support the os like they support win/mac.
All the arguments in this so far sound great in theory. The thing is…well..the biggest majority of the “Home Users” are also the “Corporate Users” when not at work. Everyone from the Secretary to Engineers use the computers both at home and work, so the distinction between the 2 is pretty much null and void anymore.
Personally I think it should be which distro is not ready for the desktop, instead of whether Linux is ready for the desktop or not. Each distro is different, and some are much better then others for certain applications IMHO.
>>I’m also a developer. (Don’t know why that is even relevent.)
my point was that i don’t say this because i don’t know the commands, or work with / create shell scripts. i have programmed C/C++ in VI (the best editor ever IMO) hacked makefiles and taken care of numerous dependency problems. it is that – in my free time – i don’t want to.
>>All I have to do is type “apt-get install my_favorite_application” and it automagically downloads the application plus all their dependencies.
Try this on Windows. You have to hunt and peck for lost DLLs till you die.
i don’t want to type commands. since win NT i did not ever need to peck for lost dlls. that is for people who try to mess with executables and dlls themselves, instead of running setup.
>>My old-ass HP plotter/CD-ROM/(substitute your favorite old still working device here) works out of the box. HP/Mitsumi/(substitute your favorite old still working device here) no longer has the driver available for XP so I’m screwed there.
but i don’t care about old hardware. i care about my brand new USR 22Mbit wireless lan card. i got rid of ISA stuff as soon as i could get decent PCI alternatives. I also do not care about dotmatrix printers, optical drives, 1 speed cdroms or VT100 terminals.
one last remark: why do you post anonymous?
Int.
This is just a stupid argument… and so, soooo tired.
Just use what OS you want, whether Windows, Mac, or Linux… and who gives a sh*t what anyone else thinks about it.
Unless you like pulling each other’s schlongs over this…
One word! Yawn… Linux is ready on my desktop!
Wanna remember all of you that Linux is NOT the only and NOT the best OS of the planet. Many other Open Source OSes are growing even better than Linux.
I think that Linux is more Server-oriented due to its origin roots (UNIX), so consumer usage is a misunderstood target.
I hope that the community will focus its forces on other interesting projects as:
– OpenBeOS
– Syllable
– ReactOS
Or, if you’re a Microsoft philosophy freak, just move to SkyOS.
Happy OSing !
..has UNIX roots, too. At least BeOS does. MacOSX does too. Because of that, they’re not ready for desktop according to you?
I have Debian on desktop. In fact my only experience with setting up a linux box is on my desktop. tis a more stable, less annoying OS than windows, having said that, i’ve uttered the phrase “does it work on linux?” more times than i care to remember.
for linux to be a real contender on the desktop, there has to be alot of 3rd party apps out there and hardware support from the hardware manufacturers.
this won’t happen ’cause linux is such a tiny market share.
> It’s a possibility. Though less necessary then it used to be, if you ask me.
Of course it is possible I do it, but not practicle for the average user. They need consistency, no matter what OS they use.
> Hello world. We can change the future from the -current situation. We just need some ingredients. If one would like a certain game ported, just ask the authors. Time it takes: 5 minutes. Just sitting by ”no it won’t work” doesn’t give you native GNU/Linux game! No you got, yes you (and others, too!) can get.
I will leave that to others, meanwhile, I will use my computer which is why I have it to begin with.
> With proprietary software with which power is centralized. They don’t sell you the software, they sell you a license which grants you to run the software. GPL and BSD licensed software for example, isn’t about the owner. Isn’t controlled by one organisation (company, gov).
Fine, money gives them incentive to create a product to sell you a license. Same difference.
> Source: no. Static binaries: no. Dynamic binaries: sometimes.
Just simple package conversion then. Not bad, but if a package can, for example, be converted from rpm to deb then patricipate fully in apt-get’s dependency resolving, thats what I would like to see.
> So then they can use a frontend, search for binaries. Gentoo comes with nice frontends for such. But such flags aren’t _needed_ to run the software.
My point is when it comes to compiling. Are there nice front ends to compile software?
My point which the flags is that take advantage of the compiling.
> Oh come on. Ever been on Dalnet? Zillions of noobs and morons there, who are using IRC (or mIRC FWIW). They learned that program too. What you describe here isn’t what i see as ”average user”. The average user can use ie. XChat out of the box.
Have you ever taked to a user? They can do it, but most wont spend the time because it is not something they want to do.
> Then i have to conclude i don’t care to win _them_. I care nada for lazy people. Zero. Zilch. Beyond my interests. If one wants something, one has to show initiave and willingness to learn. It would be awesome if one would do something back to the community somehow.
The average person is lazy unless it gets their job done. They don’t want to learn, they want to accomplish a task. This is where more Linux people over estimate the average user.
> Blame NVidia for that one.
I hope it ain’t gonna be a trend.
But if the luser doesn’t want to learn this, then the luser does use something else. Who actually cares for such parasites?
Companies that make millions off of them.
> Well, there’s a lot of arguments for that one. Portability. Knowledge. Transparancy. Innovation. Decentralisation. Progression.
And which one of those do the average person want? Hell, I am fully capable of going through the code. I just don’t have the time to do it.
> I think it’s a serious mentality problem.
Welcome to the real world, where not everyone wants to learn to compile code.
Infact most people aren’t even ready for REAL LIFE(TM)!
The only thing MOST PEOPLE(TM) are ready for is: breathing, eating, sh*tting.
You have to LEARN how to walk (legs not ready yet?),
you have to LEARN how to ride a bike (bikes not ready yet?),
you have to LEARN how to read, write, speak (not ready yet?),
you have to LEARN how to drive a car, bus, truck (those not ready yet?),
you have to LEARN how to draw(paper, colors, pens, brushes not ready yet?),
you have to learn how to maintain a nuclear reactor (nuclear reactors not ready yet? just kidding),
cell-phones, VCRs, TVs, calculators, washing machines, dishwashers, cars, taxes, musical instruments, sports, social interactions, anything (not ready yet?)
(See a pattern?)
and now my conclusion (not ready yet?): you have to (holding breath) LEARN (Oh. My. God!) how to use a computer!
*DOH*
*slaps forehead*
Very good points you have there. Sadly, most people want to stop learning when it comes to computers. The problem of a modern OS is not that it is supposed to be user-friendly, it is supposed to be able to know what the user want without any consistent, logical input from the user.
Mind you, I’m talking about the wellknown Joe Average here.
I am routinely astounded by the flamboyant arrogance displayed by folks on these discussions when addressing the use of Linux (or other OS) by the masses.
Please!
I’m sure physicians sit around and do the same thing…
Industrial designers…
Mechanics…
Baristas…
“If only those idiots would just LEARN how to do it for themselves!”
Well, there just isn’t that much time in a lifetime to LEARN everything and anything about everything and anything, THUS, priorities are formed.
And thank God, right? Or we’d all be out of jobs.
Look, I’ve got YDL installed on my powerbook. I’d love to make this my principle OS, but OpenOffice doesn’t cut and paste…WHAT!?! This is fundamental stuff. Now, I suppose I could go to the extent of LEARNING that level of coding and pour my time into it and fix the problem myself…(and yes, I know I could install KOffice, or load an earlier version of OpenOffice…whatever…that’s besides the point.)
OR, I can just boot into OSX and use (grudgingly) MSWord.
Hmm. For me, today and (likely) in the future I’ll take the path of least resistance. The typical path that most systems normally follow…And this isn’t about the user applying “consistent, logical input” it’s about managing expecations.
I’m not advocating that the masses are some bastion of high art. My general attitude is disappointment towards most human endeavors, I think folks should be willing to push the envelope a little more often…Hey, kids are dying every day from hunger! Kids!
But when your out of milk, the lawn needs be mowed, the wife wants you to repaint the bathroom, the kid’s crying, your boss wants you to go to Japan for three weeks, you’re debating whether or not repair your car or buy a new one, Christmas is coming…
Oye!
Sure you have to learn to walk…sort of. But we’re programmed to walk. Same with language. It’s built in. Our minds and bodies support walking and talking. It would be difficult to separate them out. We are not blank slates. Everyone doesn’t come into the world devoid of mechanisms to cope. If that were true then there’d be little or no way to “LEARN” to talk because there’d be no context to learn it. Well, maybe if you gave it a few million years. Computers by the way, using them…that’s not built in. The ability to adapt our language and other functions to that end is…Furthermore, it takes years and years (and years!) in an (ideally) supportive environment to develop our language and other skills. Most of us don’t pop out writing code.
It boils down to this…How do you measure success? As a niche product? As a mass product? Rats and Cheetahs are both “successful” evolutionary approaches. They both do what they need to do well in their respective environments. One’s a niche product, the other a flexible, adaptable mass implementation…
Linux has its place. I’m of the fanciful camp that advocates its evolution into a democratic tool for communication…Or it could just be a IT infrastructure/hobbyist platform…There’s no right answer here.
Linux is ready for those ready for Linux.
I dont believe Linux is ready for general consumption !!
You only have to look on Amigaworld.net to see how experienced computer users are struggling to get to grips with linux on their new AmigaOne machines .. Myself included.
Its slowly starting to make some sense…. But how the hell is Joe ordinary gonna make head or tail of it if experienced peeps are struggling ?
“Is linux ready for the desktop”
Linux has been ready for my desktop for years now. The question should be “Is linux ready for the average computer owners desktop?” Even that is deceptive, I would say that windows XP is not yet ready for that, if it were, i wouldnt be constantly asked to help friends with their PCs. That means we have to qualify it some more, “Is Linux ready for beginner to average computer user, with support from a compitant friend?” To that I would give a resounding “yes”, If you do not perform administrative tasks on a pc, i can set up linux so it is just as usable for you as windows.
The problem is that most people dont have a compitant linux friend, and they have several compitant windows friends. To be compitant in windows, anyone who has an iq greater then that of a doorknob, and a bit of perservearance can learn what is nessicary. takes significantly more for linux. so to take that into account, one more qualifier, “Has linux reached the point where the nessicary amount of aid can be received from friends and other easy to reach sources to set up and perform administrative tasks to the beginner to average home computer user?” sadly, the answer is no.
My point is, linux will never get to that point if the constant stream of “good” press it receives asks ill thought out questions. People seem intent on measureing linux against some paradigm of accessability and usability that really doesnt exist (except possibly for the mac).
“I am routinely astounded by the flamboyant arrogance displayed by folks on these discussions when addressing the use of Linux (or other OS) by the masses.”
1. Speaking for myself, yes, I am a bit arrogant. And proud. Proud I learned how to use a computer and even a bit of programming. And it didn’t take me several years of intense study.
2. The masses? They don’t care or know about Linux. The masses are happy with Microsoft OSes.
I’m sure physicians sit around and do the same thing…
Industrial designers…
Mechanics…
Baristas…
“If only those idiots would just LEARN how to do it for themselves!”
Well, there just isn’t that much time in a lifetime to LEARN everything and anything about everything and anything, THUS, priorities are formed.
You are talking about professions I am talking about USAGE of a tool. That’s a difference. Like silverware manufacturing and using knives and forks to eat.
Look, I’ve got YDL installed on my powerbook. I’d love to make this my principle OS, but OpenOffice doesn’t cut and paste…WHAT!?! This is fundamental stuff.
It’s not fundamental for the GNU/Linux OS. Different system, different architexture, different philosphy. Besides *nix traditional copy and paste is: Select text; and middle click with the mouse where you want to paste. As far as I know that works in any programm, be it on CLI or X.
Now, I suppose I could go to the extent of LEARNING that level of coding and pour my time into it and fix the problem myself…
No, you should LEARN to live with it. Make the best out of the tool given to you/selected by you.
OR, I can just boot into OSX and use (grudgingly) MSWord.
And if you chose a tool that is not up to the task YOU need it to perform, choose a better suited one. It’s your choice.
I have to give it to you my examples and metaphores are lacking. But they meant to show how you ALWAYS need to LEARN how to use a tool. Even if it’s some part of your own body.
Linux has its place. I’m of the fanciful camp that advocates its evolution into a democratic tool for communication…Or it could just be a IT infrastructure/hobbyist platform…There’s no right answer here.
GNU/Linux is GNU/Linux is GNU/Linux. It is what it is, and it goes where it goes. It’s not the best damn server OS ever, not the best damn desktop ever, it’s not even the safest OS ever. It’s just an OS based on UNIX. It is a tool that was made to perform a task.
It’s ready for MY desktop and it performs all the tasks I need it for.
It doesn’t perform how YOU need it to? Go grab the source, learn how to code and make it perform how you need it to. If you can’t, pay somebody to do it for you.
That is what 90% of computer users do with Microsoft. They pay for Microsoft products and Microsoft sees to it that their products are something users want to pay money for.
(btw GNU/Linux wouldn’t be a democracy. It is more a meritocracy.)
Free as in freedom of choice not free as in free beer!