If Linux is good, why it is not popular?
Rajeev Nandal. Linux is an open-source operating system, which everyone can contribute and enhance the source code and is available for users to use it free. It can work on older and low-end systems. It is fast as compared to Windows and less vulnerable to viruses. With all this, very few people know about Linux. Let’s look at the reasons, why Linux is not popular.
Lobbying
Microsoft and Apple have heavy lobbying arms with money, power, and the people. They have been lobbying governments and schools to push their solutions forward. They have a wide reach. Government officials can be bribable in every country. Linux does not have such luxury.
Training
Linux desktops have become simple and they will still be unfamiliar to regular users that have been trained on Windows since they were in school. You can replicate Windows or macOS layout, and that would ease the transition, but there are still major differences in how the file system is laid out, how settings are displayed, what settings you can access, and how the system behaves. Like most of us are familiar with C and D drive in Windows, these drive does not exist in macOS and Linux as both filesystems are based on UNIX.
You have to train people on doing the basic things on Linux, which they already know how to do. It would be costly and time-consuming. This will lead to a direct impact the productivity. We all the government officials are the most productive people on the earth. In the end, it all boils down to money and time because training your staff will be costly and time-consuming. The free Linux system isn’t going to be free at all.
Hardware
Linux is compatible with the hardware but it is still not perfect. Some hardware peripherals do not work with Linux because manufacturers did not decide to manufactures drivers for Linux like scanners and printers. The support for printers and scanners is terrible. Printers and scanners are used everywhere. Replacing the hardware will cost you the same amount of money for which you are paying the license fee to Microsoft.
Software
Most of the software is designed for Windows. These run well within Windows but they will not work on Linux. You have to create them new so that they can run on Linux or they should be browser-based versions. This is another cost attached to Linux.
Dominance of Windows
Microsoft Windows dominated the desktops from the beginning and their wide reach, and big gaming companies making games specifically for Windows have made sure that the desktop market is ruled by them.
Keeping the above-listed factor in mind, it seems impossible to dethrone Microsoft Windows, but however, it is not impossible.
