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 March 2014
Ubuntu 13.10 64 bit 0.36% -0.01%
Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS 64 bit 0.15% 0.00%
Linux Mint 16 Petra 64 bit 0.10% 0.00%
Linux 3.10 64 bit 0.09% +0.02%
Ubuntu 13.10 0.07% -0.01%
Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS 0.05% -0.01%
Total: Linux 1.20% -0.10%
Last Month: 1.30%
My thoughts on it
So, it looks like for the distros represented they lost 0.10% which is basically nothing. We are still holding steady and hopefully it will increase in future thanks to SteamOS.
It will be very interesting to see SteamOS as a distribution in the list and to see how popular it is against the other distros.
Things to note
The Other category has gone and that contained a few of the lesser represented Linux distro's like Fedora, Gentoo and Arch for example. It has been reported by a few that Arch may show up in Linux 64bit. Ideally we need Steam to let us see more of them.
Distro-hoppers will mess up the statistics as well, Linux users are far more likely to switch between different distributions than say a Windows user due to how many we have.
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 March 2014
Ubuntu 13.10 64 bit 0.36% -0.01%
Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS 64 bit 0.15% 0.00%
Linux Mint 16 Petra 64 bit 0.10% 0.00%
Linux 3.10 64 bit 0.09% +0.02%
Ubuntu 13.10 0.07% -0.01%
Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS 0.05% -0.01%
Total: Linux 1.20% -0.10%
Last Month: 1.30%
My thoughts on it
So, it looks like for the distros represented they lost 0.10% which is basically nothing. We are still holding steady and hopefully it will increase in future thanks to SteamOS.
It will be very interesting to see SteamOS as a distribution in the list and to see how popular it is against the other distros.
Things to note
The Other category has gone and that contained a few of the lesser represented Linux distro's like Fedora, Gentoo and Arch for example. It has been reported by a few that Arch may show up in Linux 64bit. Ideally we need Steam to let us see more of them.
Distro-hoppers will mess up the statistics as well, Linux users are far more likely to switch between different distributions than say a Windows user due to how many we have.
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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I just switched from Ubuntu 13.10 to 14.04 final beta. I couldn't wait anymore. 64 bit applications, including Steam were a mess on 13.10 when they decided to stop users installing 32bit libraries on 64bit.
Seems to be fine in 14.04 64 bit now, all my games/programs are stable again. Valve should stop counting differentiating Ubuntu versions as different distros, I notice 14.04 isn't counted in the March 2014 stats.
Anyway, what I was going to say is that I have noticed linux has reached a point where the programs/games you can install it make all the difference for "noob" users who want to get off Windows XP and hate Windows 8.
I've been doing my best to make "noob friendly" installations and setups of linux for people, I can say I've easily done 40 desktops/laptops now.
If everyone does this for people they know, that can be the tipping point for making linux mainstream. Never has linux had the opportunity it has had like right now, users, don't miss this opportunity! Help spread linux! Show your friends how to use it!
Seems to be fine in 14.04 64 bit now, all my games/programs are stable again. Valve should stop counting differentiating Ubuntu versions as different distros, I notice 14.04 isn't counted in the March 2014 stats.
Anyway, what I was going to say is that I have noticed linux has reached a point where the programs/games you can install it make all the difference for "noob" users who want to get off Windows XP and hate Windows 8.
I've been doing my best to make "noob friendly" installations and setups of linux for people, I can say I've easily done 40 desktops/laptops now.
If everyone does this for people they know, that can be the tipping point for making linux mainstream. Never has linux had the opportunity it has had like right now, users, don't miss this opportunity! Help spread linux! Show your friends how to use it!
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Oh come on with the excuses. Our market share is small, face it. I sure would like to see it getting bigger but wishing it so isn't going to make it so.
I have faith that it will grow with time. Just be patient.
I have faith that it will grow with time. Just be patient.
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the steam support for better games has started to get better,whereas before it was just offering a load of graphically unimpressive indie titles.i know low graphic quality does not mean the game is bad but the first bite is with the eye so to speak.as i said the AAA support is filtering through and the users will also start filtering through.the end of xp and windows8 debacle is going to start changing things.hopefully sooner rather than later :o)
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