Desktop Linux is niche, it will always be niche if they continue to ignore the user experience.

Have you had a bake off between Linux and Windows/Mac in the last couple of years?

I got rid of my last Windows install because obvious usability features I take for granted on Debian or Mint still require installing additional software, in Windows.

I do think Gnome is a little too excited to try new things, vs polish. But I still like Gnome better than Windows or Mac.

I do wish Mint would switch the default DE to KDE. I do think KDE is more polished, and I encourage newbies to try it first.