Re: Will most people know or care though?
I think it would be tough for Linux to beat Windows in the home market unless Linux is included preconfigured with new computers, has a similar user experience to Windows (UI, file system, etc.), and the programs home users want.
For Linux to succeed, hardware manufacturers must be forced to make good drivers, which they would presumably do if oems like Dell and HP push to sell computers with Linux, and popularize Linux enough that manufacturers need to write Linux drivers to sell their devices.
I had a TP-Link USB Wi-Fi card 10 years ago, and its Linux driver was a pain to install. They gave me a strange file and no instructions. I never figured it out.
So I don't think the average home user would want to deal with Linux unless computer works perfectly along with USB accessories.
Unless hardware manufacturers start doing a good job of Linux support, or industry forces them, Linux is a hard sell for home users. Dell even used to sell Ubuntu, which backfired on home users bad with tech. A college student bought one and couldn't run Microsoft office for school, not knowing how to use Libre office
Linux must also have an easy familiar user interface. Some Linux distros are a bit arcane to use. When a user needs to "sudo" to install something, on Windows it just asks "do you want to allow this program to change your computer, yes or no." On some Linux distros, you have to type a username and password every time.
And programs the users want are necessary. Drivers must be created for Linux just like software. For example photographers want Lightroom, but does Linux have that?
Their college runs office 365, can Linux do the same?
They need to use Microsoft Teams to collaborate with classmates, is that available?
Zoom call. Lab software etc. I am familiar with college computer requirements, so that's why I'm focusing on that example.
And if a user needs just a browser, then Linux would certainly fit the bill. But wouldn't a user rather get a Chromebox or Chromebook which is mainly a web browser? Chrome os has its own annoyances and oversights. And Linux can be seen as more private than Google or Microsoft products, but users are unaware and don't think the tradeoff in accessibility and compatibility is worth their time.