Could 2026 mark the beginning of renewed interest in GNU/Linux and BSD? Is there growing enthusiasm around it?
Could 2026 mark the beginning of renewed interest in GNU/Linux and BSD? Is there growing enthusiasm around it?
Hello everyone, I'm just exploring your perspectives and thoughts. It's fascinating to observe the growing interest in Linux and BSDs. With more intuitive distributions and improved hardware compatibility, 2026 might bring a fresh opportunity for more Linux users to join. What are your opinions on this? Warm regards.
others once considered changing but a poor interface makes it hard to remember commands and programs. some still rely on windows because not every game or app works there. with valve supporting this shift, more time could go into improving compatibility, though no promises are made. keep in mind that script kitties aren’t the only users—even grandmas and moms need the system. the biggest issues with Linux seem endless, splitting the community might push people to consoles, but subscription costs and missing old titles remain concerns. game prices are rising, making it more appealing to try for free, though. Edited December 14, 2025 by thrasher_565
The belief that some are anticipating a "Linux desktop year" shows it isn't the Linux desktop year.
Windows remains popular among people, including myself. I tried Red Hat before, but it still works well enough. Some individuals will switch, others will attempt to change but revert to Windows because of various reasons. Most likely, a large portion will continue using Windows, whether modified or not. That’s my take.
Seems the key push for Linux in gaming is gaining strength. Other sections appear relatively static. It might be SteamOS driving expansion and related distros gaining more support. Still, a significant journey remains. This applies mainly to gaming, and it will take longer to build enough users to make it mainstream on desktops. BSD—are you sure it's being considered for broader use? Did I overlook something there?
Gaming has always been my reason for staying in my current setup. I enjoy playing plenty of multiplayer games, and anti-cheat systems are essential. I also own several peripherals for DCS, but they don’t work on Linux. When switching platforms, I usually start with a Linux distribution, but if I hit a game like DCS that doesn’t run there, I dual boot. Over time, I end up relying mostly on Windows partitions.
For players who avoid online gaming with anti-cheat systems, assistance is typically becoming better. If this trend persists, it may mean games once incompatible with Linux could be supported later.
That's what I'm hoping. Besides a few select games, most of my library is through Steam and EAC so it is getting better. It's the oddball non Steam games I tend to have issues with. I think if GTA VI comes out and supports Linux when it eventually comes out in 2030 there will be a huge boost towards other anti cheat software supporting Linux. I'm holding out for that to be the next "big boost" in Linux support.
Current Linux releases (or the overall approach) aren’t expected to surpass Windows and MacOS for everyday users. We must prioritize ordinary people if we hope Linux will lead the desktop movement. A Linux setup won’t function well without robust, validated hardware—features like regular updates, secure installations, a smoother app sandbox, reliable recovery options, transactional updates, strong error management, and fewer patches are essential. Many of these aspects remain lacking. Linux also has its own challenges: resizing EXT4 partitions online is difficult, and system crashes due to OOM are possible (though likely fixable). The UI feels subpar, with the Cosmic desktop not meeting expectations. While some open-source projects offer decent visuals, few can match Windows’ polished experience, especially when using React Native for native development. GNOME is solid but its touch-optimized layout isn’t ideal. Alternatives like Hyprland exist, yet lack widespread appeal. The DRM panic delay serves as a reminder of slow progress. The Linux kernel remains strong, but software around it often falls short. I’m still exploring ways to enhance the platform. Honestly, AI simplifies Linux setup and troubleshooting—though some issues persist. Boot loader tweaks can prevent post-update failures, yet they’re not widely adopted. With command-line tools, you often need deep knowledge to resolve problems. A GUI gives a clearer view of available options.
Apple macOS also faces compatibility challenges, though Linux handles them less frequently. It compensates with advanced software tailored for its platform. Conversely, many Linux applications can be quite problematic. For instance, desktop environments often contain bugs due to rushed development, where quality checks are insufficient because resources are spread too thin. People tend to concentrate on improving one aspect rather than ensuring overall excellence.