Frequently I something along the line of “If we did “X”, Linux would get more market share” on a bulletin board or discussion group. While I admire the enthusiasm behind such statements, they are based in a misconception; the misconception that Linux needs more market share.
Linux is not a corporation. Sure, there are corporations that make Linux distributions, and they certainly need not only as big a slice of the existing market as they can get, but will also benefit from increasing the size of the market they are in. These corporations need to garner market share in order not to be swallowed by others or simply to prevent bankruptcy. Linux is not a corporation.
Linux can exist outside of, and independent of, any particular market. As long as there are people to maintain and develop sources, it will thrive. Linux does not need more market share because its strength is in diversity and choices. Just as there is no need to forcibly phase out older Linux desktops, the plethora of available software is Linux’s strength, and every piece of this software is important, be it popular or not.
These are the ramblings of 
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