Linux needs to become more Beautiful

No one argues about the power of Linux. It is an Operating System that was born on the Internet. It now powers the Internet. An overwhelming majority of the server and network infrastructure powering the Internet run Linux. And more are joining the camp every day. There is no question there.
The concern is the overwhelming majority of the Desktop users who are hypnotized by the proprietary OS vendors. It is very important to note that most desktop users are only just 'users' without any need or desire to know what goes under the hood, as long as their desktop does what they want. However, this is also a problem. The proprietary vendors exploit this point. They create a system of OEM partnering, embedding, bundling and all sorts of trade practices to deny the choices that are possible. Some of these vendors wont even let you fiddle with their hardware, they lock it behind their proprietary binaries and apps. They will only be happy if you do what they want you to do, just be herded like cattle to using their software without asking a question. Their fear is that if you start developing your own software on their platform, then no one will buy theirs.
This is True, and it happens all the time.
There is another way of looking at this situation as well.And the onus of that lies on the Linux developers. Traditionally, Linux communities have been inspired by the idea of creating a powerful, stable, freedom based operating system. Very relevant and important but the point is Beauty of the interface was not very important. Archaic interfaces, complex commands, ugly apps, cryptic install process, weird errors etc that only an experienced Linux administrator can understand are really not appealing to the average user. The average user does not care if the OS is a very powerful and doing rocket science under the hood, as long as the user experience is simple, beautiful and quick. Lately, Canonical's Ubuntu has done a commendable job on that. Google's Android also has done good work on the mobile platform. But more is needed. The critical mass for this this process is yet to be reached. I think in the next 2-5 years if Linux community focuses its energies in standardizing the User interface and hardware platform, that will go a long way in convincing the average user to consider Linux as an desktop alternative. The message is clear, Linux needs to become more Beautiful.