This describes the group I "run with", and I am predicting that if you asked all members of that very large group who own and regularly use computers (regularly use, not just have one in the house that the kids use) for anything more than job related word processing functions, you would find that the vast majority of them have HEARD of "Linux" but have dismissed it as something that is beyond their competence level or is so feature-limited as to be worthless to their needs.

I don't suggest, with this comment, whether this conception is accurate or not; just that it is the concept that the huge majority of the computer user population has with regard to "Linux".

Now, I suggest that there is basis for this conception. When I am Instant Messaging with a friend in Mint and Pidgin (them on Windows and Yahoo IM) and they attempt to open a photo sharing session and nothing happens on my end, that is feature-limited. When my Windows installation connects to my router wirelessly and my LinuxMint installation, on the same computer, refuses to connect wirelessly, that is feature-limited. These are two examples of why "Linux" has gained the reputation it has among the non-technical over thirty, blue collar crowd and retirees. It is not because they simply have never heard of "Linux".