Here is the latest instalment of Steam's Hardware Survey, as usual we do our monthly thing and compare it and talk about it and make sure you know not to use it as a hard figure.
Linux results for January 2014
Ubuntu 13.10 64 bit 0.37% -0.02%
Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS 64 bit 0.11% -0.08%
Linux 64 bit 0.10% -0.02%
Linux Mint 16 Petra 64 bit 0.09% +0.01%
Ubuntu 13.10 0.07% -0.01%
Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS 64 bit 0.06% +0.06%
Ubuntu 13.04 64 bit 0.06% -0.02%
Total: 0.86%
Last Month: 1.11%
My thoughts on it
Looking at it from face value we have dropped 0.25% which can be attributed to anything when you are talking less than 1%, it could all be down to statistical errors. Although if you dig a little deeper you will find out more.
When comparing it to last month, Linux Mint 15 & Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS are missing which last month together had 0.14%, the overall fall from the ones shown above is 0.15% so that already adds up to 0.29%, which is of course more than we have actually lost.
We then take into account Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS has made its first appearance which adds in 0.06%, so take that away from the 0.29% to total us at 0.23%. So we are still missing 0.02% from our drop.
The other category as detailed below also has an addition of 0.03% which could be some of Linux Mint 15 & Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS being added into it.
Things to note
The Other category may contain a few of the lesser represented Linux distro's like Fedora, Gentoo and Arch for example, although it has been reported by a few that Arch may show up in Linux 64bit. Ideally we need Steam to let us see all of them.
Personally I did count last time as an Ubuntu users, having switch to Manjaro I got the survey this month and counted as a Manjaro user, so distro-hoppers will also mess with the statistics.
Other 0.74% +0.03%
Especially when before the main stats did contain quite a few more Linux distro's it's safe to assume some of the % is Linux as well.
Just be aware these results will probably not be that accurate as we don't know how they do their percentage results, they could be rounding up, rounding down or truncating the percentages. So a 0.5% could actually be nearly 0.6% as it could be 0.59% but they could do no rounding and simply truncate it.
Also it won't be every Steam user (it's a survey not a full statistic) so it can be as simple as not actually showing the survey to many Linux people. Let's face it we know they don't survey 100% of their user base, only a small fraction of it, so bear that in mind as well. Personally I am still yet to see it under Linux so it's not counting me that's for sure and I am logged in every day!
Lastly Linux users typically shy away from any form of DRM, so you can bet there is a large bunch of Linux users who just simply refuse to use Steam.
Final Note: Look at it this way, Steam has around 75 million active users, 1% of 75 million is about 750,000 people. What developer wouldn't want to hook into a market that big? We are still under-represented in my eyes. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Linux results for January 2014
Ubuntu 13.10 64 bit 0.37% -0.02%
Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS 64 bit 0.11% -0.08%
Linux 64 bit 0.10% -0.02%
Linux Mint 16 Petra 64 bit 0.09% +0.01%
Ubuntu 13.10 0.07% -0.01%
Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS 64 bit 0.06% +0.06%
Ubuntu 13.04 64 bit 0.06% -0.02%
Total: 0.86%
Last Month: 1.11%
My thoughts on it
Looking at it from face value we have dropped 0.25% which can be attributed to anything when you are talking less than 1%, it could all be down to statistical errors. Although if you dig a little deeper you will find out more.
When comparing it to last month, Linux Mint 15 & Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS are missing which last month together had 0.14%, the overall fall from the ones shown above is 0.15% so that already adds up to 0.29%, which is of course more than we have actually lost.
We then take into account Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS has made its first appearance which adds in 0.06%, so take that away from the 0.29% to total us at 0.23%. So we are still missing 0.02% from our drop.
The other category as detailed below also has an addition of 0.03% which could be some of Linux Mint 15 & Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS being added into it.
Things to note
The Other category may contain a few of the lesser represented Linux distro's like Fedora, Gentoo and Arch for example, although it has been reported by a few that Arch may show up in Linux 64bit. Ideally we need Steam to let us see all of them.
Personally I did count last time as an Ubuntu users, having switch to Manjaro I got the survey this month and counted as a Manjaro user, so distro-hoppers will also mess with the statistics.
Other 0.74% +0.03%
Especially when before the main stats did contain quite a few more Linux distro's it's safe to assume some of the % is Linux as well.
Just be aware these results will probably not be that accurate as we don't know how they do their percentage results, they could be rounding up, rounding down or truncating the percentages. So a 0.5% could actually be nearly 0.6% as it could be 0.59% but they could do no rounding and simply truncate it.
Also it won't be every Steam user (it's a survey not a full statistic) so it can be as simple as not actually showing the survey to many Linux people. Let's face it we know they don't survey 100% of their user base, only a small fraction of it, so bear that in mind as well. Personally I am still yet to see it under Linux so it's not counting me that's for sure and I am logged in every day!
Lastly Linux users typically shy away from any form of DRM, so you can bet there is a large bunch of Linux users who just simply refuse to use Steam.
Final Note: Look at it this way, Steam has around 75 million active users, 1% of 75 million is about 750,000 people. What developer wouldn't want to hook into a market that big? We are still under-represented in my eyes. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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What about those that already use SteamOS?
Personnally I have installed the Steam Desktop on top of Ubuntu 13.10 (this means that I log directly into Big Picture mode without unity running in the background). I started to use this setup about 1 year ago and I never had any request for Steam survey when I was in Big Picture mode...
Personnally I have installed the Steam Desktop on top of Ubuntu 13.10 (this means that I log directly into Big Picture mode without unity running in the background). I started to use this setup about 1 year ago and I never had any request for Steam survey when I was in Big Picture mode...
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It will be interesting to see it once they add it in, I am guessing it's too low a % right now to fit into it, but towards the end of the year I expect it to rival Ubuntu for the top spot.
I am guessing that a Steam Machine will auto send it to them without requesting.
I am guessing that a Steam Machine will auto send it to them without requesting.
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It will be interesting to see it once they add it in, I am guessing it's too low a % right now to fit into it, but towards the end of the year I expect it to rival Ubuntu for the top spot.
I am guessing that a Steam Machine will auto send it to them without requesting.
If you are right, then the SteamOS percentage would be included in the "other" category.
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Keep it simple...
Windows gain 1.67%
MAC lost 1,51%
the 0.16% difference are Linuxusers that changed they system ;)
Windows gain 1.67%
MAC lost 1,51%
the 0.16% difference are Linuxusers that changed they system ;)
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I doubt the sample size is big enough to draw conclusions about a 0.3 percentage point swing. However, if I were to jump to conclusions, I'd suggest that folk are getting weary waiting for CS:GO and Portal2 to come across. There's typically 100K players on CS:Go a day. That's 100K players who aren't interested in Linux. Only Dota2 is a bigger game for Steam users.
I know I'm weary. I'm dying to play Stanley Parable...
I know I'm weary. I'm dying to play Stanley Parable...
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I don't think SteamOS counts at all, because the survey pops a window when asking for information and that simply doesn't happen in Big Picture mode.
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I don't think SteamOS counts at all, because the survey pops a window when asking for information and that simply doesn't happen in Big Picture mode.
This is why I think it will be automatic on Steam Machines.
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When I was a Windows user I use to get the survey all the time. When Steam was released for Linux I switched to Steam for Linux. I've only ever seen the survey once since then. It would be nice if these stats said how many people use Steam, how many surveys were sent out, how many people responded, how many were sent out to each OS, and the response rate of each OS.
Being that they build the software I can't image that they actually need a survey to determine what OS is using the client. When you compile for a certain OS just set a flag that can be sent back to say what OS it is. Wine users would be the only thing to skew it and even then they should be considered Windows users since they aren't using native.
Being that they build the software I can't image that they actually need a survey to determine what OS is using the client. When you compile for a certain OS just set a flag that can be sent back to say what OS it is. Wine users would be the only thing to skew it and even then they should be considered Windows users since they aren't using native.
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I don't think SteamOS counts at all, because the survey pops a window when asking for information and that simply doesn't happen in Big Picture mode.This is why I think it will be automatic on Steam Machines.
I hope not... Besides that wouldn't it be a little inconsequent if the normal client asks for permission but BigPicture does not?
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Saw a survey once. Chose not to buy BL2 even though dying to play. Played L4D2 (Linux) with friends until one gifted BL2 and said "Install Windows so we can play BL2!" Everyone was irritated I refused to buy any more games unless they were Linux native. Since he paid for it I compromised, if it runs in CX (Wine) in Linux, fine, but I will never again load MS products on my hardware (virtual for some work projects but never where it can control my system). Main point is, if BL2 was available natively I would have bought it and the sale would have been at a higher revenue point than my friends gift since I would not have waited.
I have been a programmer since 1976 and know how difficult even small changes can sometimes be, but I think it is worthwhile to develop for all platforms and pick one Linux distro (Ubuntu) as your Linux reference OS. Many Linux users want AAA out of the gate but tend to also enjoy retro and will pay a few bucks. I bought (and still have) original DOS copies of DN3D + add-ons back in the 1990's but was happy to buy DN Megaton to have my Linux native copy integrated with my Steam. My friend and I are just waiting for the coop (out of beta) to play as a pair of Dukes. Toilet humor rocks!
I have been a programmer since 1976 and know how difficult even small changes can sometimes be, but I think it is worthwhile to develop for all platforms and pick one Linux distro (Ubuntu) as your Linux reference OS. Many Linux users want AAA out of the gate but tend to also enjoy retro and will pay a few bucks. I bought (and still have) original DOS copies of DN3D + add-ons back in the 1990's but was happy to buy DN Megaton to have my Linux native copy integrated with my Steam. My friend and I are just waiting for the coop (out of beta) to play as a pair of Dukes. Toilet humor rocks!
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Honestly, until we have a comprehensive library of games (especially the AAA titles) on Linux, equivalent to Windows, these surveys don't indicate anything significant at this point.
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Wine users would be the only thing to skew it and even then they should be considered Windows users since they aren't using native.
Personnaly, I think they should not. If you use wine it's because you have no choice. If there was a Linux native client available, you would use it.
It's the "host" os that should be considered. Else you don't get the feel of the full potential of a Linux or MacOS native client (because Wine and it's derivatives can be used on both platforms).
That's my point of view... You may disagree.
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I am PC gamer. Unfortunately, almost all cool games are on Windows only. That`s why I`ll install Linux for playing when only I `ll see big game on Linux with huge number of opportunities. Game, that I can play for a long time. Game with good graphics. Game with cool gameplay. Arma 3, Witcher 2, Civilization 5.
I think it`ll be soon enough. I think about May or June.
I think it`ll be soon enough. I think about May or June.
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And I'm just sitting here waiting for AMD to release normal drivers.
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tuxisagamer 3 Feb 2014
I've gotten the hardware survey twice. Ones on Linux client. Once on Windows client in a wine environment.
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FutureSuture 4 Feb 2014
And I'm just sitting here waiting for AMD to release normal drivers.What? AMD's open source drivers are getting better and better and bugs are being squashed in the closed source drivers as well. I assume you're on the closed source drivers. Why not give the open source drivers a go?
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oldrocker99 4 Feb 2014
I got the survey yesterday; it doesn't appear to mean a whole hell of a lot, but I took it anyway.
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Keep it simple...
Windows gain 1.67%
MAC lost 1,51%
the 0.16% difference are Linuxusers that changed they system ;)
You messed up the mac number. It was - 0.21 not 1.51.
You subtracted 1.3 instead of adding it.
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It would help a great deal if the survey actually showed up for everyone, I haven't seen a survey since I switched away from Windows.
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