Deb -> Rpm?

And package format is one of those idiosyncrasies. If conversion is trivial to automate as some people claim, why not do it? It's one (small) issue less. That's how progress generally happens in software, especially free software - one small issue at a time. Unite .deb and .rpm since the differences are cosmetic, then go onto the next one. Why not? Distro policies and library versions will still differ, of course, but there are real reasons for that. Fedora has newer library versions than RHEL for a reason. I cannot see why Fedora and Debian have to use different formats for packaging.

As for your [citation needed] claim that Linux users don't pay for software, have a look at RH's balance sheets or the humble indie games bundle - RH covers the enterprise market, whilst the games bundle covers the private (well, presumably it is mostly private) desktop end users. And guess what? Linux end users (those that bought the humble bundle at least) pay MORE than Windows or OSX users. Maybe because they aren't being ripped off ridiculously by Microsoft on the Windows license or by Apple's simply obscene prices for hardware? Maybe they're better people? Maybe they just wanted to put an end to claims like yours? Maybe they just have more money? Who knows, fact is, Linux users do pay, generously - even when they don't have to.