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- cday, on 09/04/2008, -6/+92And that's just Ubuntu...
Then there's Mandriva, Fedora, Xubuntu, Puppy, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Mint, DreamLinux, PCLinux, DamnSmall Linux...etc., etc.. Something for everybody who wants to try something new (or should that be GNU?). I'm sure others can list dozens more!
I think the single most annoying thing about GNU/Linux systems, and GPL'd software usage in general (annoying to the Monopoly and other propietary software vendors, that is) is that it simply cannot be measured, and it can't be controlled. Ooh! They sooo hate it when they can't control something.
Shuttleworth's Canonical might have a pretty big piece of the pie, but nobody really knows how big the whole pie actually is. Someday we'll know, but for now it's fun to watch the big guys lose their comfort zone...they're understandably very nervous about the future. - jclipz, on 09/04/2008, -12/+48Ubuntu FTW
- t3rmv3locity, on 09/04/2008, -4/+37Congratulations Canonical, keep up the good work.
- hamobu, on 09/04/2008, -5/+33The whole world benefits from Linux users, even mac and windows users.
- scsp85, on 09/04/2008, -4/+28We're gaining every day. It's strange, as a senior at ASU, I am seeing more and more if the incoming freshman class using Ubuntu and other Linux flavors compared to when I started. Most of the time they use a dual boot, but Linux is making headway. I just got tired of pirating programs that were too expensive for the average student to afford.
- HonestAbe, on 09/04/2008, -7/+26***** you elitists. You're the reason there IS no Linux user base.
If you don't like Ubuntu making computers easier to use and providing decent modern computing functionality to people who can't afford a modern OS, please find another distro.
And wigren, yes, Ubuntu ⊆Linux. - whittmadden, on 09/04/2008, -3/+22With 8 million users, you'd think they'd be harder pressed to fix their issues with Pulse-Audio.
- HonestAbe, on 09/04/2008, -2/+21I've been one of those 8 million for about a year now, and I'm happy I made the switch.
- infiniphunk, on 09/04/2008, -1/+16@ Anonemousk
Not in the least, I just find it irritating how you always make the same lame comment that we've all seen a million times already.
You think you are clever because you can parrot the same line over and over? - infiniphunk, on 09/04/2008, -4/+19holy smokes that's a funny joke. I never heard that one before.
- sax1johno, on 09/04/2008, -4/+19Got my 16-year-old brother-in-law on Linux by introducing him to Ubuntu. Even my mom thought it was easy to use, and eventually I'd like to get my grandmother on it too. When it comes down to it, Ubuntu is starting to make a dent. Next year may or may not be the "year of the Linux desktop", and I don't really care. This is a product that works the way it should, and allows me to do what I need to do.
Ubuntu FTW for making a dent. - dtfinch, on 09/04/2008, -2/+13With it checking for updates by default, they have what they need to come up with a good ballpark figure of the number of active users on any given day, if they can estimate of the percentage who have turned it off. I have no idea if they do or not.
- balazsbela, on 09/04/2008, -1/+12I hope you're aware about the fact that game developers don't have to support windows only.The more Linux users the bigger the pressure to release linux versions of the games.
- HonestAbe, on 09/04/2008, -3/+14Evidence, please.
- infiniphunk, on 09/04/2008, -3/+13"Palin's church vows to rid the world of Ubuntu, a 'brown' operating-system.."
- thinman1189, on 09/04/2008, -6/+16Ubuntu is mainly home and personal use, too. Add in the other distros and server installs, and it's quite the number.
- itsbradman, on 09/04/2008, -2/+12Exactly how is that evidence? Putting quotes around something doesn't make it evidence. "You're an idiot".
- infiniphunk, on 09/04/2008, -0/+10Mint includes a lot of the non-free packages that Ubuntu users habitually have to go install themselves once their system is set up. (media codecs etc)
No benefit really to an experienced user, but it can save a few headaches for noobs. - x713, on 09/04/2008, -3/+13I am actually pretty surprised the number is so high considering it started just four years ago. I used it back then and I had so many problems with it. There were bugs everywhere and I was always frustrated, but I use it now as my main OS and they have certainly solved most their bugs. I am really glad to see them do so good. I would like to see that number grow exponentially, so we can get more attention and developers.
- kettlechips, on 09/04/2008, -1/+11Do you have any idea what this means!!!???
There's now more Ubuntus than there are Scientologists. - infiniphunk, on 09/04/2008, -2/+11I dunno that people want "Ubuntu to top Windows" necessarily. Linux users and those involved with the open-source movement in general do want to see proliferation however, because not only is it good for our fellow computer users, it also gets more and more hardware (and software) makers interested. Keep in mind that many of the obstacles to linux adoption remaining are poor driver support for some hardware. Getting more software makers aboard would also help. (Adobe are you listening?)
- kimme, on 09/04/2008, -1/+10I have gotten my stephfather to use Ubuntu. He ditched his Windows XP Home copy on his laptop and I installed him a copy of Ubuntu and he's very happy now because he doesn't have to fear any more virus attacks on his computer.
- bobbysan, on 09/04/2008, -3/+12If you haven't seen this, it's pretty cool. Ubuntu founder, Mark Shuttleworth gives a history and philosophy about the development of Ubuntu and open source in general.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-116575479 ... - Anonymous41, on 09/04/2008, -2/+11I've been using kubuntu 7.06 for about 6 months now. 2 days ago I installed Ubuntu 8.04, and I gotta say gnome is pretty nice.
Ubuntu is so easy.. when people hear Linux, they probably think of complicated OSs. But Ubuntu is so easy, a novice to computers could use it with ease. There's no reason to still pay for operating systems when there's one as good if not better out there for free. Don't get me wrong, I like Vista, but if it's that or a free OS like Ubuntu, I'll take Ubuntu any time. - Nicko01, on 09/04/2008, -0/+9I started using Ubuntu at 14, and now that's my main OS. In fact, I rarely use windows at all anymore. The only time I use it is at school where they have it installed on every computer. I still don't believe that it's ready for most people yet, until more things people want work right when you first boot up.
I'm soon going to start linux programming too, and hopefully contribute to the community.
The more programmers we get, the faster linux will grow. - HonestAbe, on 09/04/2008, -0/+8Wow, he originally estimated 8 million and it might actually only be 6 million?? Scandalous!
- curlybap, on 09/04/2008, -1/+9My networked printers worked fine from the start on Ubuntu - better than my previous XP, actually.
- inactive, on 09/04/2008, -0/+8It would be fine. FreeBSD could power the entire world just fine
- TehDoctor, on 09/04/2008, -0/+8You make a good point.
I'm elitist, but I have nothing against Ubuntu whatsoever. I hope more people use Linux. Jus because more people use something doesn't mean that the "technically challenged" will drown out the "elitists". Look at Windows: there are plenty of technical Winblows users and yet there are many times more non-technical users. It winds up being good for the OS as a whole, because vendors and software writers cater to the platform. It also forces the OS creator to ensure a good desktop experience (in theory)
The more Linux users, the better. We can have the best of both worlds. - tom66, on 09/04/2008, -0/+7I believe they based it on APT updates, so it's an underestimation because you're not counting those who ignore updates, or don't have an internet connected PC.
- ethana2, on 09/04/2008, -0/+7It thumbs its nose at our crippled patent law. Their lower profile allows them to do that, I don't think Ubuntu could get away with it..
- flashingcurser, on 09/04/2008, -1/+8That's one copy downloaded and someone running around and installing it on 8 million machines, duh!
Well at least the license would allow it. - Regbooker, on 09/04/2008, -7/+13Ubuntu is the past. In in love with Linux Mint now, a fork of Ubuntu that is, by all means, what Ubuntu should have been. I'm saying this in the sense that it's more "newbie friendly" from the go.
Try it, it's awesome http://www.linuxmint.com/ - jaikob, on 09/04/2008, -1/+7Here's the Text in case the site goes to hell:
Sure, Windows is expected to run on 1 billion devices by 2010. But a loud minority is making its voice heard by moving to Ubuntu Linux. In fact, Canonical’s marketing materials state that Ubuntu now has more than 8 million users.
Alas, measuring Ubuntu’s active installed base can be tricky since a single copy o the operating system can be freely installed over and over again on multiple systems. And in mid-2007 during the Ubuntu Live conference, Ubuntu/Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth estimated the operating system’s installed base at 6 million to 12 million users.
But apparently, Canonical has narrowed down that figure. A marketing handout from the company, focused on training, states that:
“Ubuntu is used by over 8 million people worldwide.”
So far, so good. And that figure will surely rise as Ubuntu is preinstalled on a growing number of Netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs).
But Canonical can’t rest on its laurels. After all, Novell is leveraging desktop Linux relationships to land on more servers — including a forthcoming server deal with Lenovo, which will be announced in September. And Red Hat seems to be gaining momentum in the channel.
Still, a growing list of small, midsize and large organizations are running Ubuntu. (Take a look at the Works With U 1000, a fast-growing list of organizations running Ubuntu.)
Things are certainly getting interesting in the Linux market. - ethana2, on 09/04/2008, -0/+6My sister got a virus on her machine, and instead of trying to removed it-- she just switched to Ubuntu. A lot faster and less complicated that way.
- mikedoth, on 09/04/2008, -1/+7Your right, you have to use a ballpark number, there's just too many factors in finding out how many copies are active of an OS. I typically install several machines with a single disc, and i'm not alone in that, as do all of my tech friends. The numbers get lower when you realize all the machines that are not connected to the net, like kiosks, etc.
- medfreak, on 09/04/2008, -2/+8I won't ever switch fully to Ubuntu, but I would gladly run it as a side kick on my PC. I love the interface and superior wireless capabilities in comparison to windows. But I can't ignore the fact that I need to play my latest games at the best performance possible the moment they hit the shelves.
- MWeather, on 09/04/2008, -1/+6It's not a good way to measure unique users, but it guarantees you're not overstating the number.
- kev92486, on 09/04/2008, -1/+6Most of the events that caused me to have to reinstall were either the result of a lack of straight-from-setup support for my devices, or simply as the result of me tinkering with the wrong stuff or similar. Obviously Ubuntu isn't awful if it has 8 million users. My hardware just happens to be a situation where support for it isn't that great, which I mentioned is generally a result of poor VENDOR SUPPORT, NOT UBUNTU.
- smotpoker, on 09/04/2008, -0/+5Admitting uncertainty isn't exactly the same as admitting fabrication. There is no way to tell for certain exactly how many people use *any* OS and with Linux it is a bit harder to tell than normal because there is no attempt to account for or restrict who uses it.
They can only go by the number of downloads and try to estimate how many of those were simply updates/trials and how many might have given copies to their friends (I know I've given copies to several people and imagine many others do the same) - nossifer, on 09/04/2008, -0/+5people keep repeating that and 3 years ago, it was true. dont repeat crap you heard from idiots. try a new install. hell, dont even install it, use a live CD or a USB Key live version. its all free.
- hmahadik, on 09/04/2008, -2/+7LAWLOWN3D!!!!!!11onetwofail
- smotpoker, on 09/04/2008, -1/+6I wonder if it includes copies given to friends that were not downloaded
- tomarocco, on 09/04/2008, -0/+5Xenubuntu
- tushyd, on 09/04/2008, -2/+7The person wasn't trying to advertise Ubuntu, kev92486 was describing his experiences...
- xutopia, on 09/04/2008, -1/+6What differentiates it from Ubuntu?
- dcherryholmes, on 09/04/2008, -1/+5You can't really say what it was intended for, you can just comment on what it is or isn't. And it *is* very much for the technically challenged, provided they buy something with it pre-installed. A netbook with all the right drivers that's only going to be used to surf the web and play back media? It's practically (even if not theoretically) virus bulletproof, won't slow down over time from accumulated cruft, and drops you into an ecosystem of free-as-in-beer software. Turn that newb loose....
http://xkcd.com/456/ - traxen, on 09/04/2008, -0/+4The way you are twisting how Linux should only be for one specific crowd...
It was never meant to be closed. I would take an educated guess and say
that you just happend to be there early on and now you dont want company...
Well guess what, we are joining you wether you like it or not ;) - t1n0m3n, on 09/04/2008, -0/+4I might add... Very similar to my own experiences.
Most issues tend to revolve around the fact that there is a learning curve with Linux. Something that does not exist with Windows, since most have already learned it. Also it is not as much an issue because a single entity is guiding Windows, vs. many for Linux, so you have many more options with Linux, and therefore, much more to learn. The more popular Linux becomes the less issues like this will pop up.
Keep in mind that the issues that the OP spoke of are common in ANY OS. I can't say how many times I re-installed Windows 3.1 because I just didn't understand how it worked yet. Keep at it Kev92486. Forcing yourself to learn Linux will provide you with a rich set of tools to work with. Over time, you will be cursing Windows for not being able to do the things that you can do in Linux. - flashingcurser, on 09/04/2008, -0/+4The truth is that if it is "pre-installed" by a competent tech, it is easier for the end-user to use.
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