3 ms·
> relatively small target group Smaller than you imply as there is no standard Linux desktop for them to target. Not only are there multiple desktops, there ar
by eikenberry 6y ago
> relatively small target group
Smaller than you imply as there is no standard Linux desktop for them to target. Not only are there multiple desktops, there are multiple systems for almost everything in Linux. Even seemingly ubiquitous things like .profile and .bashrc aren't everywhere as neither zsh nor fish use those.
TLDR; I think the diversity of the Linux world also helps.
- owl57 6y agoIs it really that diverse? If you just assume Linux=Ubuntu+bash, sure, you lose some users, but is it really a large part of them? (OTOH you definitely can't assume people run a supported version of Ubuntu and not something ridiculously old.)
- higerordermap 6y agoBash is like 70% of Linux users. And can just check for .bashrc, .zshrc and whatever the popular shell uses. The diversity argument is moot. If anything it just prevents software from being available on Linux due to small differences causing big inconvenience for business software authors to be worth the hassle. From security perspective, most of Linux desktop is Glibc + almost same set of base C libraries + SystemD + Sudo + GNOME/KDE whatever. Having 2-3 choices cover 95% is not a barrier for security exploits. Rob Pike told in 2000 that Linux has put back computing. It's not exactly Linux but the so-called "community" with their luddite attitudes. Linux Desktop is a cult.