I also think Linux is successful because the tool and ideology appeals to people rather than Linus. In a huge part of development of distros you don't come int

I also think Linux is successful because the tool and ideology appeals to people rather than Linus. In a huge part of development of distros you don't come into contact with Linus anyway, and they are part of the reason why Linux is popular. So I would not attribute the whole Linux effort and community to him. (He had a huge part in getting it off the ground though and I do not wish to minimize his influenve and input)