Linux source code is open and free! still is not popular amoung people,why?

coz linux is not user friendly and also it is littble bit tough to understand for a layman...thats why... but I like linux....its really interesting...also more secure than windows

Probably people think that to use linux you have to be tech/computer savvy. Also linux is extremely popular with the programming community. Ordinary users like me for example would prefer to use windows because windows have 'assured' us that it is secure, easy to use etc etc. basically it all boils down to marketing. and that although linux is free, majority of pc users are familiar with windows. linux interface right now is pretty user-friendly. they just need to market their product better i guess.