As far as I can tell, the "problem" with Linux on the desktop is that there is no consensus that there is a problem. The category of people who use Linux, but

As far as I can tell, the "problem" with Linux on the desktop is that there is no consensus that there is a problem. The category of people who use Linux, but complain about the desktop experience, seems to be a vocal minority (of the already tiny minority of computer users that use Linux). The overwhelming majority of us have moved on. My Linux desktop use is now limited to the once a year that I install a distro to force myself to use a different OS for a couple months, mostly to see what I'm missing. Turns out, I'm not missing anything, so after a couple months I go back to using a system I enjoy. But here's the thing, the people who use Linux as their main desktop environment aren't crazy, or fooling themselves. They prefer it to the alternatives. They evangelize about it (actually something I wish everyone would stop doing, regardless of their OS allegiance). For them, it's the best way to use their computer for the things that they want to use their computer for. So I'm not sure that there is a problem. With the exception of the small number of people who fantasize about a world-wide exodus from Windows to Linux on the desktop (who are certifiable, if they think there's a remote chance that will happen), I get the impression that most Linux users are quite happy with it (as well they should be). I think maybe twelve years ago, if you were a full-time Linux desktop user, you were probably compromising on technical quality for an ideological preference; but I don't think that's been true for a long time.