this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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But then I think that’s the mentality which has led to the failure to capitalise on Microsoft’s unpopularity over many years. To be honest.
I understand where you're coming from, but of course the Linux I want to use is not a business with a centralized marketing department vying for market share. It's something that I can customize and make into whatever I want it to be.
I think that's why many people want to use Linux - they're not pigeonholed into decisions made to gain market share, they're free to choose whatever works well for them.
Paradoxically, 20 plus years ago people chose PCs and Microsoft over Apple for much of the same reason. We could select our own hardware from any manufacturer, easily run our own executables and develop code in any direction desired.
I’m not really saying that has to change. I’m certainly not for it becoming a corporate thing. We have to fight against that 100%. But I would say you can have your Arch, Cachy, or whatever. The tinkerers can do their niche thing in the corner. But if you ever want it to be widely used, you have to present Ubuntu, or Fedora, or Mint, as “Linux” as far as the general public are concerned. If that doesn’t happen, then it won’t matter how unpopular Microsoft becomes.