How many desktop Linux users?
May 06, 2009, 12:01 (1 Talkback[s])
(Other stories by Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols)
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"The truth is we really don't know how many Linux
desktop users there are. That's a pity because those numbers do
matter. The more Linux desktop users there are, the more likely it
is that ISVs (independent software vendors) and PC manufacturers
will support desktop Linux. If Linux is to ever stop being
considered a 'niche' desktop operating system, it needs more than
just users, it needs an accurate way to count those users.
"Web site surveys are all well and good, but they only tell part
of the story. And, as the numbers I cite above shows, Web site
numbers show an enormous range. Some of that may represent bias.
The Boycott Novell Web site, for example, recently proclaims that
Net Applications' operating system numbers are a "Big Lie" and
pointed out that Microsoft was one of Net Applications' biggest
customers. My own site focuses a lot on Linux, so it's no surprise
that I have a high percentage of Linux-using visitors."
Complete
Story
Related Stories:
- KDE 4.2: Finally a new Linux desktop I can like(May 04, 2009)
- 1% Linux, 99% to go(May 04, 2009)
- Are there too many desktop Linuxes?(Apr 28, 2009)
- Get your software into Linux the easy way
(Apr 25, 2009)
- Will Microsoft blow its netbook lead with Windows 7 crippleware?(Apr 21, 2009)
- Here comes Ubuntu 9.04(Apr 21, 2009)
- How slow can Linux go?(Apr 20, 2009)
- The five best, new things in Ubuntu Linux 9.04(Apr 17, 2009)
