Update: This data has not yet actually been verified by Netmarketshare. When I first took the shot, it wasn't noted, but it's been pointed out in our comments they do now have a link at the top to say so. I fully expect this to be revised down to the current level.
Take this with a rather large bag of suspicion! Netmarketshare is reporting that Linux had 6.91% market share, which is higher than Mac for the first time.
Not only that, but it seems even FreeBSD actually registered on it this time too.
Honestly, it seems far too good to be true. Hold the partying and champagne popping for now. Other sites like StatCounter separate Chrome OS (which uses the Linux kernel), but I believe Netmarketshare does not. StatCounter also shows Linux overall at far less than what Netmarketshare shows.
With that said, both websites have reported Linux growth over the past year. It may not be as large as we want it to be, but it seems multiple sites statistics do report Linux market share is growing and that's the important thing here.
What do you think? A nonsense blip, or Linux really making gains?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
wvstolzing Oct 1, 2017
Speaking about Linux beating Mac -- I'm a clueless git with no knowledge of the 'real world', but here's what I think:
Apple seems to have adopted the mobile handset model of forced obsolescence into their Mac line; I'm inclined to think that this will end up in a catastrophe for them. There was a time when Macs had outstanding longevity, and really good resale value; neither exist anymore, because in order to continue doing real work, while receiving the software updates you need, you have to use the latest OS, which, in turn, is compatible only with fairly recent hardware. So buying a Mac, and proprietary software on it, is making an open ended commitment to keep buying new Macs.
In the mobile sphere, companies can get away with this sort of lock-in, because the required investments are quite a bit lower, and what's at stake is nothing urgent -- like which media player, streaming softwre, etc., you have to use. Desktop machines where you *produce* your work can't be as disposable as mobile devices, however; and a lot more is at stake, in choosing to bind your fate to the offerings of one company.
As to elegance of 'user experience', intuitive UI design, stability, etc. (and recently, games), the Mac *no longer* offers a *significant* advantage over Linux. There was a time when it did offer the most refined experience; but I think we're catching up. I sure miss the silky smooth trackpad on my MacBook Pro -- but now, that advantage is outweighed by way more important considerations.
Also, mobile and webapps haven't reduced the multi-purpose desktop pc to irrelevance, as some people were predicting. Stupid little consumption devices, and software that runs on top of 50 layers of abstraction *can't* do that. I know that 'the year of the linux desktop' has become a silly 'meme', but I do think that once certain issues are ironed out, linux will emerge as the obviously most suitable system for multi-purpose, relatively open pcs.
Apple seems to have adopted the mobile handset model of forced obsolescence into their Mac line; I'm inclined to think that this will end up in a catastrophe for them. There was a time when Macs had outstanding longevity, and really good resale value; neither exist anymore, because in order to continue doing real work, while receiving the software updates you need, you have to use the latest OS, which, in turn, is compatible only with fairly recent hardware. So buying a Mac, and proprietary software on it, is making an open ended commitment to keep buying new Macs.
In the mobile sphere, companies can get away with this sort of lock-in, because the required investments are quite a bit lower, and what's at stake is nothing urgent -- like which media player, streaming softwre, etc., you have to use. Desktop machines where you *produce* your work can't be as disposable as mobile devices, however; and a lot more is at stake, in choosing to bind your fate to the offerings of one company.
As to elegance of 'user experience', intuitive UI design, stability, etc. (and recently, games), the Mac *no longer* offers a *significant* advantage over Linux. There was a time when it did offer the most refined experience; but I think we're catching up. I sure miss the silky smooth trackpad on my MacBook Pro -- but now, that advantage is outweighed by way more important considerations.
Also, mobile and webapps haven't reduced the multi-purpose desktop pc to irrelevance, as some people were predicting. Stupid little consumption devices, and software that runs on top of 50 layers of abstraction *can't* do that. I know that 'the year of the linux desktop' has become a silly 'meme', but I do think that once certain issues are ironed out, linux will emerge as the obviously most suitable system for multi-purpose, relatively open pcs.
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Death to Windows long live Linux!
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The numbers are obviously off, but I can easily believe that Linux desktop usage is on the rise. This has nothing to do with sudden great improvements to Linux, but has everything to do with the lack of options. Windows 10 seems to be genuinely unpopular with its market share being stagnant for about a year now. People running older machines with Win 7/8 or older need to update them someday and many of them don't want anything to do with the cesspit of "telemetry" and forced "upgrades" that is Windows 10. It also helps that Microsoft has already started to poison the well on their older OS's too.
This is what made me to finally switch to Linux as my primary OS. I have Windows 7 partition for games, but I haven't used that for months now. Even if I want to play some Windows game, I just can't be bothered to boot there. I'll just play something from my Linux subset of games instead. It would make me really happy if this was truly the year of the Linux desktop.
This is what made me to finally switch to Linux as my primary OS. I have Windows 7 partition for games, but I haven't used that for months now. Even if I want to play some Windows game, I just can't be bothered to boot there. I'll just play something from my Linux subset of games instead. It would make me really happy if this was truly the year of the Linux desktop.
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Quoting: pbQuoting: SolitaryI don't think ChromeOS is much of a thing in Europe in general, I don't know anyone that bought one. Correct me if I am wrong.
Are Chromebooks even available in Europe? Maybe in some of the western countries, but certainly not where I live.
Stores sell Acer Chromebooks in Czech republic. They also did offer Samsung and probably others as well few years ago, but I guess they stopped (probably not many people bought them).
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There's absolutely zero chance this is accurate. But let's just enjoy the view. Sit back and think that someday we will have this share, steadily reported and confirmed, and aim for the first ten. Someday...
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slaapliedje Oct 1, 2017
Could it be because Ubuntu is switching back to Gnome? :p
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To be clear: the stats are from sites that have embedded the stat counters of these sites.
It just might be that a few more linux friendly sites have just added these counters :-)
It just might be that a few more linux friendly sites have just added these counters :-)
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Here's a worthwhile mental check (though admittedly anecdotal). Go to a local coffee shop. Look around. How many people are on Windows? How many on OSX or iOS? How many on Linux? Now, ChromeOS might bump it up a bit if it's counted as a Linux distro, but if Linux has surpassed OSX, the evidence would be all around us.
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Stupendous Man Oct 1, 2017
I bought a Chromebook half a year ago and run Linux on it from a microSD card. The plan was to install Linux permanently but I actually like using ChromeOS for the occasional web surfing and youtubing. Still, I use my Linux install for all serious stuff (developing etc).
About the stats: I wish they were true!
Forgot to add: I'm in Europe and bought the Chromebook from Amazon.
Last edited by Stupendous Man on 1 October 2017 at 5:34 pm UTC
About the stats: I wish they were true!
Forgot to add: I'm in Europe and bought the Chromebook from Amazon.
Last edited by Stupendous Man on 1 October 2017 at 5:34 pm UTC
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Quoting: Guesti got my take on this but man this awesome news.and you know what i don't care if i waste a champagne bottle time to celebrate because something big is happening. View video on youtube.com
a bit overly optimistic video :) but one can always dream.
I think there has to be some sort of error in the data.. lets say that 3% as it was before was 20 million people (it was probably more though). Now it should be 20 million people more just out of nowhere... haven't heard any news that some governments switched to linux fulltime. Maybe some African countries got into internet the first time? i still doubt it would be that huge gain though.
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Was a Linux Live CD released with one of the netmarketshare indicator websites enabled as a homepage after bootup?
Or were lobbyists for the EU parliament actually using Linux to research their current anti open source FUD campaign? Read and sign the open letter over at FSFE in any case.
Or were lobbyists for the EU parliament actually using Linux to research their current anti open source FUD campaign? Read and sign the open letter over at FSFE in any case.
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: GrazenHere's a worthwhile mental check (though admittedly anecdotal). Go to a local coffee shop. Look around. How many people are on Windows? How many on OSX or iOS? How many on Linux? Now, ChromeOS might bump it up a bit if it's counted as a Linux distro, but if Linux has surpassed OSX, the evidence would be all around us.
I would think that most of the laptops seen in coffee shops are company issued (=Mac/Windows). I find it hard to imagine that someone would lug around home laptops in public places when more portable options for casual use exist. Then again my imagination can be very limited.
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stretch611 Oct 1, 2017
Quote"This report contains preview data that has NOT been reviewed by Quality Assurance."What it really means...
Our corporate masters will not let us show that any operating system that can be used for free without spying on the owner can be viable. We need to adjust our algorithms to show that Linux is a fringe OS only used by stoned hippie radical freaks.
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but on steam, it went down 0,11%, what is alot when you have less than 1%. For us with gaming purposes, i hope it goes back to at least 1%, we can't go down anymore.
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Quoting: veccherbut on steam, it went down 0,11%, what is alot when you have less than 1%. For us with gaming purposes, i hope it goes back to at least 1%, we can't go down anymore.
My guess is that the current downward spiral is the PUBG effect. This game is so popular (as proven by the record breaking numbers) that it's drawing a lot of new players to Steam. Unfortunately, these are only Windows players. Since PUBG has seen another big growth last months, the September numbers probably won't get any better.
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Devastatorius Oct 1, 2017
Huh, this is huge jump if you compare with previous month.
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The numbers are slightly changing already. Not dramatically, but to 6.79% vs 6.88% (Mac/Linux accordingly). Hopefully they'll have the correct data by Monday or so.
Last edited by rkfg on 2 October 2017 at 7:21 am UTC
Last edited by rkfg on 2 October 2017 at 7:21 am UTC
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It's a blip. But the trend even without that number looks positive. And we've seen a number of sources lately suggesting a positive overall trend for Linux use. Basically everyone except the Steam survey.
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inlinuxdude Oct 1, 2017
We're down to 4.94%... boo! (although still a big jump from last month, and I'd take it without a doubt)
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stretch611 Oct 1, 2017
They have already revised the numbers downward.
From: W/86.3% M/6.78% L/6.71%
To: W/88.65% M/6.41% L/4.94%
Still a nice gain, but the QA note is still there meaning they may revise it again.
Edit: too slow on the writing... beaten to message by 5 min.
Last edited by stretch611 on 1 October 2017 at 10:28 pm UTC
From: W/86.3% M/6.78% L/6.71%
To: W/88.65% M/6.41% L/4.94%
Still a nice gain, but the QA note is still there meaning they may revise it again.
Edit: too slow on the writing... beaten to message by 5 min.
Last edited by stretch611 on 1 October 2017 at 10:28 pm UTC
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