I can’t speak with any certainty about Linux actually being used on the desktop, but I have often wondered, “Why not?” The strong networking presence has been there almost as soon as it’s been commercially available; TCP/IP entered the UNIX space in the eighties and as soon as it was affordable it became available on PCs. When mobile device use greatly increased that finally help tilt the real Linux numbers everywhere EXCEPT the desktop. Mobile technology Is where Linux and BSD kernels have ruled for years but still the desktop lagged behind. I think the Microsoft entry into Cloud computing spelled the practical end to their desktop reign and probably opened the desktop doors at last for Linux.
Other thoughts on this?