r/linux • u/Zodiak1011 • 2d ago

Alternative OS Why does it feel like Linux is suddenly exploding in 2026?

I’ve been seeing more and more people switching to Linux this year, especially gamers. Bazzite, CachyOS, Linux Mint, etc. seem to be getting mentioned everywhere.

Why didn’t we see a massive shift like this earlier? What changed, or what finally pushed people to make the switch?

I know the Steam Deck was probably a big factor in showing people that Linux gaming is actually viable and that Linux isn’t as painful as it used to be.

But what else changed over the last few years that made Linux suddenly feel like a realistic alternative to Windows for so many people?

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u/BlazingBlossom 2d ago

As a European, that was the final push for me. It's in the national interest not to be dependent the #1 most warmongering country in the world

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u/Bakoro 1h ago

We learned it from watching you!

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u/TaxHazyShade 2d ago

that's largely because the citizenry doesn't get to vote on what the military does. Much like Russia.

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u/BlazingBlossom 2d ago

dw, I don't blame the people

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u/GuillotineAuChocolat 2d ago

I do. They elected the guy. Twice.

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u/BlazingBlossom 2d ago

Sure, half of them suck, but a good portion of the people in every country vote for idiots. But I also think their democracy is fundamentally flawed. Too much gerrymandering and they have this ridiculous two party system.

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u/realmauer01 2d ago

The two party system comes from winner takes it all voting system, this has as many problems as any other system, just different ones. The actual problem is with how the voting is counted there could be overall more americans for one side while the other gets voted in.

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u/Indolent_Bard 1d ago

I didn't vote for this guy!

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u/Technical_Rich_3080 2d ago

Europeans come from a blood soaked continent that's been perpetrating wars for many centuries, including two recent world wars where they murdered tens of millions of innocent people within the lifetimes of people alive today.

Europeans are the last people on the planet to have any standing to speak against anyone else.

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u/alanslc 2d ago

They chose the lesser of two evils.

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u/pezezin 2d ago

In which twisted world was Trump less evil than Kamala?

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u/Indolent_Bard 1d ago

He didn't even win the popular vote the first time!

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u/lazyboy76 1d ago

And he won the popular vote the second time, only lose to "No vote".