Ubuntu is since almost 8 years the only relevant third option for operating systems for PC's. That is huge and more and more software is written for Windows, OS

Ubuntu is since almost 8 years the only relevant third option for operating systems for PC's. That is huge and more and more software is written for Windows, OSX and Linux (Chrome/Spotify/Steam). They are pretty persistent in my opinion. Windows 8 will also alienate a lot of users, even if it is going to be a success. Shuttleworth has always the chance to go public and raise a lot of money, but he didn't so far. He will when there is a opportunity window in the enterprise or consumer space. It's not incredible right now, but they are doing fine i guess.