MS and Apple are doing plenty more advertising to try to convert people to use their OS. The difference is that Linux is not backed by a large corporation, so n

MS and Apple are doing plenty more advertising to try to convert people to use their OS. The difference is that Linux is not backed by a large corporation, so naturally it relies on people talking about it, it's more similar to a grassroots movement that tries to e.g. get you to grow your own vegetables instead of buying at the supermarket. I would also argue that the Mac community in particular is pretty vocal about trying to convert people to macs.