Back then it was a place for us nerds, techies, early adopters.
Now it’s a place dominated by the rest of the world. Including all the bad stuff like politics, big corporations and ads.
It was nice for a while… We need a new place :-)
So why do so many people seem to think Linux needs to become bigger on Desktop?
Personally I am not looking forward to the consequences: capitalism will make sure there will be something on Linux to make money off. They will try to conquer it, introduce walled gardens, stores you will have to pay for, by watching ads.
Android was Open Source once until Google decided to mainstream it.
You can rent a vps for 4$ / month, Forgejo for server is open source.