The point of desktop linux is that it keeps MS and Apple honest. If they push things too far away from where the common good lies (ie. toward the short term int

The point of desktop linux is that it keeps MS and Apple honest. If they push things too far away from where the common good lies (ie. toward the short term interests of their stock holders) then expect to see a huge resurgence of desktop linux, supported by OEMs who will suddenly be pushing cheaper faster linux machines with tested specs as a way of winning back territory. Until then, don't, because it will be down to a volunteer community to do heroic work to other peoples schedules and basically that's always going to be hard. Server side stuff has a lot of support from big shops that need their iron to work well - so that can go along just fine as is. My point is that because it exists and is nearly viable it is a success and does what we need it to, even if using it can be nightmarish.