The two sides that I've hopped back and forth from in this argument are competition leads to innovation, and fragmentation is the problem. Getting started wit

The two sides that I've hopped back and forth from in this argument are competition leads to innovation, and fragmentation is the problem. Getting started with Linux 8 years ago, I used to think the endless array of distros was a beautiful and unique characteristic that reflected on the openness of FOSS. As I gained experience, I realized that the differences were too close to really care. That there's an awfully large amount of effort being put into divided communities too maintain working "operating systems" that are hardly unique. I find Linux best suited in its inherent case, Unix for the x86 PC. Unix as a programmers workbench. Unfortunately and fortunately the "Windows killer" nameplace is responsible for its early success and what it will probably continue to live by for desktop usage. It's always great to hear someone put life into their grandma's Windows 7 laptop by reimaging with an Ubuntu USB. But I feel like that doesn't last long as non corporate supported desktop Linux doesn't hold up well without some annual sys admin love. I definitely went on a rant, but what I can conclude is that competing technologies isn't really to blame as the freedom of choice goes with the nature of FOSS. The bigger problem is that we are fighting to turn a Unix like OS into a Windows replacement by relying on voluntary man power and overlapping attempts at essentially the same goal. Leave it to Apple and Google to bring Unix to the masses, if that even matters.