Linux for Everyone: Can Standardization Drive Mainstream Adoption?

Despite its technical superiority and flexibility, Linux remains a niche OS in the consumer markets. Because fragmentation stems from diverse distributions, it lacks the standardized experience, which discourages mainstream adoption. This foundational paper explores whether a balanced approach to standardization can bridge this gap without compromising Linux's core philosophy of freedom and openness. We analyze historical attempts at unification, such as Flatpak, Wayland, and Snap, identifying reasons for their limited success. Using case studies and statistical insights, we understand how fragmentation affects developers, designers, management users, and gaming users. The paper proposes a standardized yet modular Linux ecosystem ensuring adaptability for new users and flexibility for power users. Rather than giving a technical solution, this paper discusses the feasibility of a unified Linux experience by providing the groundwork for structured standardization. We aim to inspire future research as well for positioning Linux as a viable alternative to Windows and MacOS without sacrificing its open--source nature.