[kwlug-disc] Linux Marketshare

[Paul Nijjar]

On Tue, Feb 02, 2010 at 12:56:01PM -0800, Raul Suarez wrote:
> --- On Tue, 2/2/10, Richard Weait <richard at weait.com> wrote:
> > >  but where's the tipping point?  as in, at what
> > percentage will linux
> > > suddenly be "validated" on the desktop?
> > 
> > It doesn't matter to Linux.
> 
> I agree at some level, disagree at a different level:


> Agree: I use Linux because I can, I am safer, more comfortable and
> have more freedom with my desktop, what do I care what other people
> do. I am free to use it, other people are free to do whatever they
> want.

Note that one of the reasons that we are able to do so much with Linux
is because there is critical mass. That critical mass protects our
freedoms (e.g. in copyright consultations) and writes nice software
that we can use. So I think I disagree with Richard: maybe percentages
do not matter a lot, but raw numbers of users do. Percentages matter
in the sense that if all of your friends are using Linux then it will
be easier for you to get support and counselling for your
frustrations. 

If you think percentages shouldn't matter, maybe you should talk to
people who used and loved OS/2. 

- Paul