1980s Apple ][ BBS was popular.
Maybe the ratio of computers with a modem was high to those without
The computer itself was an App that let me program apps.
I did not know friends with computers did not find that appealing.
They wanted their apps out of a box- like the creator of their computer.

But microsoft makes a usable operating system for the average person.
Not even 1/2 geeks can make Linux take video shots, load java, run ide's, download programms- Linux is too hard for users and I like Linux for programming.

Until IDE's and GUI's exist for the simple stuff in Linux and Unix they will continue to be unknown to the general public.

Hey why not go make it?
You are obviously not a Windows only person. :)
Make it take 3 clicks to install any card or install any program- Linux is too hard for people not wanting to be low level.
Or be happy that most people are happy with Windows and paying Bill Gates.