Not strictly gaming related, but we do cover other important or interesting things here and there. According to netmarketshare for three months straight Linux marketshare has gone up.
2016
April: 1.65%
May : 1.79%
June : 2.02%
July : 2.33%
It may still be small, it may be slow, but damn that's a healthy sign if I ever saw one.
If this can continue for a while I will be rather happy.
Most importantly, what do you readers make of this? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
2016
April: 1.65%
May : 1.79%
June : 2.02%
July : 2.33%
It may still be small, it may be slow, but damn that's a healthy sign if I ever saw one.
If this can continue for a while I will be rather happy.
Most importantly, what do you readers make of this? Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
0 Likes
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
All posts need to follow our rules. For users logged in: please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Guest readers can email us for any issues.
If only we could reach 5%, that would give us as much influence as Mac OS users, which is more than sufficient to begin with.
8 Likes, Who?
Well, maybe some mobile browser started displaying Linux instead of Android.
Linux is everywhere except for desktop computers, so in my head we won the war anyway.
Linux is everywhere except for desktop computers, so in my head we won the war anyway.
4 Likes, Who?
we need more AAA :( in next 2 years we will reach 8% i'm sure!
6 Likes, Who?
If only we could reach 5%, that would give us as much influence as Mac OS users, which is more than sufficient to begin with.
If the average rate of the last 3 months keeps going up, it will take a year. But I doubt we'll get there. There's always hope though
4 Likes, Who?
Well, maybe some mobile browser started displaying Linux instead of Android.Or maybe some IOT computers ?
2 Likes, Who?
Windows 10 effect perhaps? A combined effect of forcing it down the throat, intrusive invigilation and pushing Windows Store adverts?
Edit: with these numbers though it might simply be people who are dual booting and now spend more time using Linux rather than new installations...
Last edited by skinnyraf on 3 Aug 2016 at 5:55 pm UTC
Edit: with these numbers though it might simply be people who are dual booting and now spend more time using Linux rather than new installations...
Last edited by skinnyraf on 3 Aug 2016 at 5:55 pm UTC
5 Likes, Who?
Well, maybe some mobile browser started displaying Linux instead of Android.Or maybe some IOT computers ?
Yes, another possibility.
0 Likes
It very likely has something to do with the Win10 effect and usually people try Linux for some time and then start rebooting to Windows again. Netmarkshareshare numbers are also noisy.
However, despite the need to be cautious, what we are seeing here is enough reason to get excited: The growth is strong and well below noise level. There is a trend visible. And... some other websites wuth statistics also show strong Linux numbers. Something *is* happening.
However, despite the need to be cautious, what we are seeing here is enough reason to get excited: The growth is strong and well below noise level. There is a trend visible. And... some other websites wuth statistics also show strong Linux numbers. Something *is* happening.
3 Likes, Who?
One thing to remember from netstats: UserAgent-Switchers are a thing and there are way more reasons to fake a windows browser from linux then any other combination.
At least here in germany, there where times when netflix and amazon shut me out, telling me my brower/OS wasn't supported. With some tricks and a UserAgent-Switcher, I could play html content.
Maybe some of the big players now stop to throw stones at linux users and therefor less of us use a switcher?
At least with chrome, those services seem to work now.
At least here in germany, there where times when netflix and amazon shut me out, telling me my brower/OS wasn't supported. With some tricks and a UserAgent-Switcher, I could play html content.
Maybe some of the big players now stop to throw stones at linux users and therefor less of us use a switcher?
At least with chrome, those services seem to work now.
2 Likes, Who?
I guess 2016 may in fact be the "year of the linux desktop". It could be a good time for manufacturers like system 76 and Valve/Steam Machine to push for a little bit of advertisement, seeing how things are starting to grow a bit more quickly than ever. this could be a breakout time for GNU/Linux as a whole.
As long as it gets to be equal or better than Macs then Linux will be setting pretty nice.
As long as it gets to be equal or better than Macs then Linux will be setting pretty nice.
1 Likes, Who?
Well, I don't want to look pessimistic here, but always remember to take these statistics with a grain of salt. These variations could literally be anything, and I highly doubt their algorithms are optimized for Linux detection/discrimination.
No, the real goal is 100% (maybe a little less if we leave room for our other BSD/Mach/Hurd/Haiku/whatever -including mac). I might consider 50% as a good sign too :)
Until then... No mercy <insert pirate emoticon here>.
But just remember not to trust these statistics, they are really biased in a lot of ways. And there is no way to tell if they over or under estimate the numbers.
No, the real goal is 100% (maybe a little less if we leave room for our other BSD/Mach/Hurd/Haiku/whatever -including mac). I might consider 50% as a good sign too :)
Until then... No mercy <insert pirate emoticon here>.
But just remember not to trust these statistics, they are really biased in a lot of ways. And there is no way to tell if they over or under estimate the numbers.
3 Likes, Who?
Hmmm . . . Looking at the previous couple years on that site, on one hand the numbers wobble around a lot--rather more IMO than could possibly represent real shifts in Linux use. So this could just be a big blip.
On the other hand, the wobbling up to now was always within a certain range. Never before Feb 2016 do I see it going over 1.74%. I see a low of 1.25% with a typical range between 1.4something and 1.6something.
So a sudden ramp-up (accelerating, from the look of it) all the way up to 2.33% looks like something different. Maybe Windows 10 effect. Maybe Chrome OS. Maybe the Chinese government just got serious about security and did a big roll-out; they've been talking about going Linux for a while. Maybe all of the above.
On the other hand, the wobbling up to now was always within a certain range. Never before Feb 2016 do I see it going over 1.74%. I see a low of 1.25% with a typical range between 1.4something and 1.6something.
So a sudden ramp-up (accelerating, from the look of it) all the way up to 2.33% looks like something different. Maybe Windows 10 effect. Maybe Chrome OS. Maybe the Chinese government just got serious about security and did a big roll-out; they've been talking about going Linux for a while. Maybe all of the above.
3 Likes, Who?
Some examples of other websites that confirm this data:
https://clicky.com/marketshare/global/operating-systems/linux/
... shows a growth for Linux that is very similar to that shown by Netmarketshare.
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
... shows Linux near the highest share ever.
https://www.w3counter.com/globalstats.php?year=2016&month=6
... did put Linux at 2.48% in June. Unfortunately we didn't make the list in July due to iOS 8 taking our spot.
The only major web statistics site known to me, that doesn't confirm the trend, is Statcounter. Statcounter's data suggests our market share is stable.
Last edited by dmantione on 3 Aug 2016 at 6:40 pm UTC
https://clicky.com/marketshare/global/operating-systems/linux/
... shows a growth for Linux that is very similar to that shown by Netmarketshare.
http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
... shows Linux near the highest share ever.
https://www.w3counter.com/globalstats.php?year=2016&month=6
... did put Linux at 2.48% in June. Unfortunately we didn't make the list in July due to iOS 8 taking our spot.
The only major web statistics site known to me, that doesn't confirm the trend, is Statcounter. Statcounter's data suggests our market share is stable.
Last edited by dmantione on 3 Aug 2016 at 6:40 pm UTC
3 Likes, Who?
GustyGhost 3 Aug 2016
I switched to Linux few months back because of Malware 10 and the shady Microsoft tactics. I've gotten 3 more people to install Linux since and I'm planning to keep doing that. There are quite a few people who ask me for computer advice.
I doubt that I'm the only one doing this.
Yup, I've been responsible for deploying Mint into a few different homes. Doubtful that hobbyists have much sway but with the exception of graphics drivers, distros as polished as Mint are ready for prime time with the average user.
0 Likes
We all would like to see Linux to have a greater market share, and grow faster, but their statistics seem to be legit. They claim to collect the data from websites that use their analytics service, and there is no reason to believe that these random websites are in any way biased towards users of any one particular platform. It is also more or less consistent with the Steam survey. There is no reason to believe that Linux users somehow mask their presence online by using user agent switchers and such.
On a brighter note, Linux has really liberated me from all the free tech support for my buddies and relatives, because "I don't know anything about Windows". :)
On a brighter note, Linux has really liberated me from all the free tech support for my buddies and relatives, because "I don't know anything about Windows". :)
4 Likes, Who?
whitewolfguy 3 Aug 2016
As these data are not a true picture of reality, it seems that there is a small and steady increase in the use of Linux, it will be interesting to follow this data to the end of the year and see if the high trend will keep ...I want to be optimistic :)
2 Likes, Who?
I see many of you speculating if this has anything to do with win10 but looking at win and mac percentages it rather looks more like we've taken users from Mac, not Windows...(!)
Last edited by Beamboom on 3 Aug 2016 at 7:56 pm UTC
Last edited by Beamboom on 3 Aug 2016 at 7:56 pm UTC
3 Likes, Who?
Maybe Chrome OS. Maybe the Chinese government just got serious about security and did a big roll-out; they've been talking about going Linux for a while. Maybe all of the above.
Looking at the links dmantione shared, it seems Chrome OS keeps steady (or decreasing) globally since May. China has a spike since May, but so does for instance the UK and the US.
Clicky shows that Ubuntu goes up a bit, which maybe is a Windows 8/10 effect. I do think Ubuntu and other well-known distributions would see the increase from users moving from Windows.
But interestingly it's the unknown Linux distribution numbers that rises. W3Schools doesn't see a Linux increase. I'm hoping this is an indication of SteamOS usage. Users of SteamOS would hardly use it to visit W3Schools but may very well be using to visit other sides that netmarketshare and Clicky monitor.
3 Likes, Who?
Hi all,
I think these results are accurate and are showing a positive trend and I point the finger directly at windows 10. I think that now the windows 10 free upgrade has ended along with the new anniversary update forcing Cortana to remain on at all times will only encourage more to leave Microsoft.
I have only been a Linux user for about 3-6 months now and my motivation to join the Linux community was the windows 10 forced upgrade initiative. I got so fed up with the constant nagging that I decided to try Linux Mint. I could not believe my eyes when it booted up and everything just worked. Its taken a few months to learn the command line basics and adding PPA's etc but I now cannot go back to windows and I now game exclusively on the steam Linux platform.
My initial Linux experience tells me that this may just be the beginning.
Following this website by keeping up with the latest releases has also given me the courage to stick with Linux so would like to say thank you for this awesome site.
Sorry if I went a little off topic.
I think these results are accurate and are showing a positive trend and I point the finger directly at windows 10. I think that now the windows 10 free upgrade has ended along with the new anniversary update forcing Cortana to remain on at all times will only encourage more to leave Microsoft.
I have only been a Linux user for about 3-6 months now and my motivation to join the Linux community was the windows 10 forced upgrade initiative. I got so fed up with the constant nagging that I decided to try Linux Mint. I could not believe my eyes when it booted up and everything just worked. Its taken a few months to learn the command line basics and adding PPA's etc but I now cannot go back to windows and I now game exclusively on the steam Linux platform.
My initial Linux experience tells me that this may just be the beginning.
Following this website by keeping up with the latest releases has also given me the courage to stick with Linux so would like to say thank you for this awesome site.
Sorry if I went a little off topic.
12 Likes, Who?
whitewolfguy 3 Aug 2016
I see many of you speculating if this has anything to do with win10 but looking at win and mac percentages it rather looks more like we've taken users from Mac, not Windows...(!)
Hmmm...according to the site data shown in the article, in January Windows had 90.61% and in July it had 89.79%, Mac OS had in January 7.68% and in July it had 7.87%, then considering only NetMarketShare data, Window had a slight drop and Linux had a small increase. But I do not I analyzed the data from the other sites mentioned in the posts.
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
How to set, change and reset your SteamOS / Steam Deck desktop sudo password
How to set up Decky Loader on Steam Deck / SteamOS for easy plugins
See more from me