The creator of the Linux kernel blames fragmentation for the relatively low adoption of Linux on the desktop. Torvalds thinks that Chromebooks and/or Android is going to define Linux in this aspect.
There’s certainly something to be said for the freedom of choice that comes with Linux, but all too often that freedom is the ability to choose between a multitude of underdeveloped tools. The desktops themselves tend to be well-developed (at least insofar as the biggest names are concerned), but software fragmentation is keeping the apps we run from those desktops back, especially in regards to creative software.
We have a dozen different video editors, none of which are particularly good because there aren’t enough developers with the time or financial ability to continuously develop them. The same goes for media players and office apps.
All that fragmentation leads to paralysis of choice. When someone new asks about what distro to start on, there’s camps of folks pushing for Ubuntu, Mint, Pop, and Arch, all at the same time, and all making compelling enough arguments against one another that it’s apparent there is no clear choice.
There’s a lot of good in the variety of options that comes with Linux. I absolutely adore being able to customize every last thing about my system, and then start all over the next day with something completely fresh. But I only like that because I’ve spent time in the ecosystem enough to feel comfortable with the multitude of choices (and to be frustrated with the lack of actually competitive options). I think Ubuntu has one of the best ways of offering a plethora of options in a friendly manor with its flavors (the same goes for Mint and Manjaro, of course). But if Linux is ever going to be a major force in the desktop space, then it needs a “right” choice to offer newcomers before lifting the veil and giving them every option under the sun. It’s entirely possible that this notion goes against the spirit of Linux and Free Software, but if it does, there’s no point in fussing about market share on the desktop.
Choice is great, but a lot of users in the desktop space don’t want an abundance of it right away. Linux, being all about choice, is scary for new users, and can be less appealing for the lack of software that actually sees maturity in a sea of similar programs.
Kanthala Raghu 