Look up the Accuphase AAVA if you want to see a truly linear gain stage.
Linear volume control
A gain of +6.02dB
Defnitely not, quite to the contrary - with logarithmic every discreet step causes the same relative increase/decrease in volume as perceived by the human ear.
How can software possibly know how much volume my speakers are putting out? They dont know if I'm using IEMs or floorstanders
"user friendly design" for people who dislike changing the volume from the terminal, using decimal numbers.
It doesn't matter what your speakers are putting out. Your audio DAC will be controlled by the computer OS and the application software in the computer. You speakers could be mute for all the computer cares.
I swear spotify did this and used to piss me off. Im not some hearing scientist math superautist so dont have a clue about linear vs log and what should actually be used.