The evolution in Linux or more specifically within the various Linux distribution is constant. In its early days Linux was reserved for experts computer scientists and geeks in all genres.
Sure things are changed such that now anyone can use and install a Linux distribution without risk. More knowledge is needed to install, operate, administer Linux.
Because reputations are always tough, Linux is still in the minds of the uninitiated as something complicated, lengthy and / or non-successful. Linux is now available for all become a reality just read some heated debates for s’ convinced. Paradoxical even the act of promoting the spirit of Free Software in greater numbers and one side decrying the practice of distributions called public to make their products accessible. This trend does divide the opinions of the community, whether it is to automate the installation, configuration, and administration. But in that displeases some the trend is towards an extension of Linux. It is not uncommon to read comments such as “even my grandmother uses Linux now, (not without a little help little children certainly). We can emphasize making automatic installers for Linux available to almost a few clicks all just cohabiting with Windows dual-boot.
A major strength of Linux is its diversity, whether this or that thing you do not like on your PC, no problem you can take anything else, it’s true for software but also for the distribution itself is counts in an impressive amount but it’s also its weakness, as discussions inflamed why that distribution is better or I do not know what else making me think of a title of an article I can not remember which site (it could be held Phoronix) stating: “And if the first danger came from the Linux community itself.” It may also be a weakness in the meaning that too much diversification, to fork at all is or rewrite existing applications in other languages, provided for in the end not much if it is a division of the potential programmers and this example there with a shovel …
Linux is a bit unique in the free operating system, either in BSD or Solaris, there are not hundreds of distributions, and is certainly not as virulent debates within their community.
It would be difficult to talk about public distribution without naming Ubuntu and derivative. For many it is the distribution of transition from a proprietary system to Linux, but this is not the only possibility, to name but PCLinuxOS for example, but many will choose Ubuntu, perhaps more for its reputation and its community ( documentation and forums) that for technical reasons really. It can sometimes be difficult to speak of Ubuntu without falling into the above mentioned, namely not to fall in endless controversy and discussion, good or bad choices directions snuff Ubuntu / Canonical.
In conclusion, (a chattering away a little of the title) so Linux is becoming accessible to everyone, and evolution in this direction will inevitably be explaining growth in the number of users under GNU / Linux and yes the conflicts within Linux is not about to stop!