You're all such a bunch of nerds, thinking that "fundamental operating system components" and "very good package management" have anything to do with the success of a *desktop* OS. Windows is proof that you only need to be just good enough to be the king.

Many distros = uncertainty for the average consumer. That's the bullet that sprays Linux' brains all over the floor in the desktop popularity war.

Of course, this all assumes that the desktop is the battle Linux wants to win, which I seriously doubt. It's strength seems to be in filling all the niches others can't.

That question might partly be answered by looking at the amount of advertising MS does in each country. In Australia, we get the odd MS ad, but they're pretty rare, while in the US it *seems* they spend a lot on advertising.

Anyone want to chime in?