PUSH & SHOVE: People resist change -- they become comfortable with what they know, so they are not seen as idiots. Even with Microsoft, there is strong resistance to 'upgrade' from one version to the next without some serious pay-off or pushing. (i.e. "if you want to run 'game x', you must on Windows 9", or "if you want support from us, you must be running on Windows 8 or better").
LOOK HOW EASY IT IS: People want true plug-and-play. Will Linux support all their USB devices? Software? Printer? Scanner? They want assurances! Perhaps if there were a simple install for Windows/Linux dual-boot system where changing environments was as easy as changing a T.V. channel. In this case, the Linux environment should be defined to access their Windows 'my documents' directory and have the look and feel of Windows.
YOU WANT REAL SUPPORT? YOU GOT IT!: People want a support structure that does not belittle them. How many times have you seen a UNIX PRO depicted on television and silver screen alike as an overweight social reject that compensates their lack of social skills by "talking down to" or insulting newbs? I clearly remember the early usenet and IRC days when anyone new was considered fresh meat for the kill. I know that's not what it's always like, but that's the impression the general public gets.
MADGE, YOU'RE SOAKING IN IT!: A public awareness campaign that shows your android smartphone, tablet and other devices are ALREADY RUNNING on Linux might allow someone to look closer. Many people don't realize how much of what they do on their computers nowadays is actually online and isn't dependent upon what O/S they're running.
Just my 2 cents on this issue.
