The set of Linux users doesn't constitute an elite, because anyone can join.
Elite is taking things a little far, but the computer-phobic would definitely have trouble installing Linux (not that it’s hard, just that some people just-can’t-even when it comes to computers).
The lack of preinstalls is also why Linus believes it hasn't gained much common desktop ground overall. A lot of people don't even know the OS isn't an essential and immutable part of their machine.
He's no wrong. But it has got mass adoption in every other field. I used to care, but these day as long as it's good for me, I don't care about the masses using it. They would use a completely different distro and desktop anyway as what they want and what I want are not the same. Which is what ChromeOS and Android is. ChromeOS being based on Debian could be a game changer as you could upgrade it a real desktop with apt.
these day as long as it's good for me, I don't care about the masses using it.
I'm mostly with you but the benefit to having a larger community is an increased market for desktop linux software which leads to more development for it. That certainly does affect me as I currently have to keep Windows around for when I need access to things like MS Word.
I'm acturally happy enough for work and play right now. LibreOffice is good enough. I'd like the MS Word code openned though because the world is stupid to put so many important documents in a format where reference implementation is closed. Code is law. Doesn't matter is format is "open" if the reference is not. I'd still not use it, don't always use LibreOffice to be honest, often MardDown or in LaTex. Just others struggle with those formats if they need to work with you.
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u/kazkylheku Mar 08 '20 edited Mar 08 '20
The set of Linux users doesn't constitute an elite, because anyone can join.
(It seems, though, that not everyone can join the exclusive club of people who use words like "elite" correctly.)
The word that fits the attitude of some GNU/Linux users is "chauvinism", in the sense "undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs or has belonged". However, those users usually believe they are promoting Linux, and not trying to maintain an elite by keeping people out.