Non-nerds generally tend to seek advise from nerdy in their vicinity (social circle). Sort of trickle down effect. The impact is quite significant now, given that nerds and semi-nerds are aplenty.
True, but it is also true that nerds HATE with a passion to be referred as the de-facto helpdesk for those they will give any recommendation.
I would never EVER, recommend any Linux distribution at the time being to any of my non-nerds contact, in favor of a product that is simple to use (even at the cost of some freedom) and very hard to break.
I actually switched my parents from XP to Ubuntu few years ago (because any support would involve travelling). Since then, the most serious problem was yanked ethernet cable.
You are lucky. When I tried that there was no Ubuntu, only RH and SuSe, and of course, Slackware. Nothing like OpenOffice or KOffice either.
My mom did not like LaTeX and went back to MS Word.
Very true! As a company selling a new product you have to get approval from the nerds to have a successful product. I like this.