that's because people don't know what it is yet, neither did I, but when they find out, it will go back to 0.

1 members found this post helpful.

I disagree--all it tells me is that the recorded member names are increasing. How many of those are active members--e.g with more than 1 post?**

The number of registered members here is increasing also, but I doubt that the number of **active** members is increasing nearly as fast.

I'd like to see the stats on people who use Linux without even knowing it--TIVO, cell phones, webhosting servers, and who knows what else.

**Here, and probably on any similar forum, there are a significant number of people who sign up, ask "which distro?" and then disappear. I'll bet the majority of these "looky-loos" are not now Linux users. On the flip side, how about all the Linux users that you will never see on any forum? I know several like this right here at my employer.

It's easy to use google without telling them anything: http://ixquick.com/

To add to a previous post:

I just returned from a Windows troubleshooting housecall with the client's laptop. I'm installing Slackware (dual boot, drastically downsized Windows partition, default Slackware boot (hidden windows option)).

In a sense, I'll actually be losing money long-term with these folks, once they're switched-over.

Perhaps rather than losing followers, Linux is gaining leaders....


cheers,

I get it but it was more of an exercise to show misleading statistics depending on the readers perspective.

Microsoft would LIKE to believe and make you believe that Linux is losing followers.

See here for more on that:
http://www.google.com/trends?q=micro...ate=all&sort=0

Weird.

Microsoft has a slight descending trend as well. How many microsoft users use Google for finding solutions to their problems? If you have one you'd better off going to support.microsoft.com. If there is a solution you find it there. I can imagine most searches are for Windows Service Pack, Update, MediPlayer or whatever.

And what is the vertical scale in the Linux graph? Absolute numbers? Or percentages?

When I look at myself, about 1 searches in 10 I use Linux in my search term as many search keys already imply Linux.

jlinkels

I'm not sure exactly how those figures are calculated, but if they're percentages it might have more to do with the evolving population of internet users than anything else. It's reasonable to think that in 2004 Linux users (and tech-minded people in general) composed a greater proportion of internet users than they do now.

Seriously - if Ubuntu is the future of Linux, count me out.

The interesting part is that in the professional midrange server world (where I live) Linux is thriving (technically) because they are tossing up virtual Linux boxes the way they used to toss up virtual Windows boxes.

It's silly - is a zOS running 100 Linux virtual servers a win for Linux?

by H_TeXMeX_H

I'm totally by your side, TexMex. As stated by Richard Stallman, "cloud computing is a trap";“It’s stupidity. It’s worse than stupidity: it’s a marketing hype campaign.”

But regarding the trends, data are always prone to bias and manipulation; if Linux is sloping down the hill to anywhere, I don't care, as long as I can keep my Slack box inside a cave. I will never surrender to m$ or ubuntu...

I agree with that general sentiment, as long as Linux is available for me and whoever else wants it I don't really care how the adoption rate goes. I have only "converted" two people to Linux. One is my mom and only on her desktop computer. The other is a guy who wanted to build as cheap a computer as possible, and he only needed to be able to check email, logon to his bank, and print. He actually asked for Linux because he knew it was free and didn't want to pay for a Windows license if he didn't have to.

Who really cares? Stupid people use whatever is placed before them. If anything it just says more stupid people are buying computers.

Job security for geeks.

You did not site a reference so all I can do is based what you say on your input.

But, the number of registered ubuntu users does not say much. It would be better to take daily volume statistics for downloads and forum usage. Finding such statistics here on LQ would give a more accurate evaluation of Linux usage.

Regarding people you know who use Linux, I only know one person, me. Several people Ive talked to have never even heard of Linux. Regarding who really cares, I think it is important. Spreading the word will make Linux more main stream and increase popularity. With more popularity comes more interest by proprietors. My 2 cents.