One of the most common objections raised when considering a move to free software goes something like “I can’t switch, because my favorite program isn’t available on GNU/Linux.” They perceive the inability to run a specific piece of proprietary software as a technical deficiency of the free system. They see it as a bug. This reaction misunderstands the point of the transition: They’re judging the free world by its ability to replicate the prison walls they just left.
A mind-boggling amount of work has gone into lowering the barrier of entry. I think as the gap continues to close, it’ll become a less compelling “selling point”
Awareness of how easy and nice it is, seems a greater hurdle than how easy and nice it is. From my experience, [in 2003, with my first install of suse as a fresh windows refugee] it was already easy enough before ubuntu came along advertising that it made it easier and nicer (~ I noticed no significant change from ubuntu to how easy and nice it was, they just had stronger marketing).
People just don’t know [how easy and nice it is].
Same as they don’t know the distinction of free software being an entirely different philosophical paradigm to live, not just another platform to be abused by.