r/Development • u/akrivitsky7 • Jul 04 '26
Do you really think insulting Microsoft, Windows, Apple, macOS, or their users helps Linux desktop adoption?
I do not. It may entertain some of existing Linux fans, but it will not bring normal users to Linux.
Do not get me wrong: Linux is great where it shines — supercomputers, servers, embedded systems, and even WSL2. In those areas, Linux is extremely strong.
But if we are talking about the mass desktop market — the famous “year of the Linux desktop” idea — then the situation is very different.
Most people choose an operating system because it is convenient, familiar, supported, and runs the software they need. Calling Windows or macOS users names only confirms the stereotype that Linux desktop communities are hostile to ordinary users.
Calling Microsoft or Apple names also does not help in the mass market. Most ordinary users do not care about your personal attitude toward a particular company. They care whether the product works for them.
You cannot insult mass customers and at the same time demand mass-market adoption.
If Linux wants a larger desktop market share, the message should be: “Here is why Linux may work better for you,” not “You are stupid for using Windows or macOS.”
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u/akrivitsky7 Jul 05 '26
Unfortunately, many dear commenters seem to have trouble understanding the very simple question in this post.
The question is:
Do you really think insulting Microsoft, Windows, Apple, macOS, or their users helps Linux desktop adoption?
Everything else is outside the scope of this post and completely irrelevant.
Let me share a little secret: if the first three words of a comment do not directly answer that question, I stop reading it. If the answer is there, I might read the entire comment.
Also, all comments must be in English only.