> The nerds could always make a home with their linux desktop. Now everyone can. It'll change the equation.
Probelm is, to be able to do what you're describing, you still need the source code and the permission to modify it. So you will need to switch to the FOSS tools the nerds are using.
There are source-available software one is not permitted to distribute after modification. But what source-available software prevents the user from modifying the source for use by oneself?