Ótimo artigo sobre o futuro do Linux como desktop.
Linux vs. Windows: Choice vs. Usability
One of the major roadblocks for Unix was the lack of one single standardized platform for applications. Linux seems to be following along the same line, although on a different parallel. To compete head-to-head with Microsoft, Linux advocates should standardize the platform.
http://www.devx.com/opensource/Article/16969