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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.
Tags: Misc
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Gobo Oct 1, 2017
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.
Nonjuffo Oct 1, 2017
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.
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.
veccher Oct 1, 2017
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.
Ehvis Oct 1, 2017
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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.
Devastatorius Oct 1, 2017
Huh, this is huge jump if you compare with previous month.
rkfg Oct 1, 2017
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
Purple Library Guy Oct 1, 2017
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.
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)
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
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