You missed my point - Comparing the modern nixes to older ones, it is getting much easier to operate (and by similar comparison, Win is getting more difficult and obfuscated). While it may still need work, Linux is going in the right direction, which is why I deny your position (nix will NEVER be...) It is now at a point where it is no more difficult that Windows, albeit in a different perspective.
When something goes wrong, where is Grandma going to get help?
The same place she goes now... Me, and others like me. I don't think you realize how deep the Linux revolution goes - I literally don't know a single service tech who is not at least passingly familiar with Linux, and most that I know use it regularly. And those service techs are the direct interface between computing and John Q. Public.
That began all the way back with Win2k, where M$ in it's hubris, failed to provide a means to access a dead box (no boot disk for YEARS) - For me, and many others, Linux (Knoppix mainly) picked up the slack - being the only means to access a broken box to fix it or get files off it without hanging the drive in a test bench - Most service techs I know are quite comfortable in Linux, and many are spearheading it's distribution to their clients, if for no other reason than that it is impervious to viruses - By far and away the lion's share of the trouble my clients encounter.
And about 1/3 of my Linux desktop users ARE Grandmas, btw.
Mac OS X is the modern Unix that is easy for the average computer user. Linux isn't there, except for mobile devices running Android. And some special purpose devices like home routers and Tivo.
The same place she goes now... Me, and others like me.
That isn't going to happen. Grandpa needs a trustworthy vendor to get help from.
I don't think you realize how deep the Linux revolution goes
I have been running Linux for 14 years. And for 14 years I have been hearing the same thing about Linux going mainstream on the desktop. It isn't going to happen.
I literally don't know a single service tech who is not at least passingly familiar with Linux, and most that I know use it regularly.
That has been true as long as I have run Linux. Most of these techs went to colleges that ran Unix. Linux is an easy step and cheap step for them. So what? I have been around techs long enough to know that the vast majority can only explain things to other techs. They have no patience or communication skills for explaining to Grandma how to fix her Linux box. In fact they will think she is an idiot because she can't figure it out on her own.
And about 1/3 of my Linux desktop users ARE Grandmas, btw.
And how many millions of Grandmas are you supporting? And how much does the job pay?