Linux: Now 400 Distributions Strong
Choice is certainly not a problem for Linux in trying to reach more users.
A new report now lists 400 different Linux distributions that are currently available.
According to the GLDT project, the Linux environment has grown by 10 new distributions over the past two months and more than 50 over the past six months. Among the new entries between September and October are candidates such as AtheOS, DreamStudio, Garuda or Syllable. Debian remains the most populated Linux branch with 114 different choices - among them flavors such Knoppix and Ubuntu. Redhat is the next largest branch, followed by Slackware and smaller branches such as Arch, Enoch, or Sorcerer.
A chart that is offered by GLDT for download includes the history of distributions that also includes once promising packages that are long gone - among them Lindows (Linspire), Xandros, Caldera, or LinuxPPC.
According to StatCounter, Linux currently has only 0.84 percent global market share among Internet users.
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Ugh too many Distros. There are probably less that are active though. The problem with so many Distros is that you have alot of people duplicating efforts resulting in the Community as a whole working harder not smarter.
Does android count as linux? I think it should... If others agree, Id image that the percent of internet users using "linux" will grow substantially in the coming year with all of the tablets and smartphones
I agree. I think they might be less then 10 distros widely used. I personally just run Linuxmint.
Linux: Now 400 Distributions to confuse the $h!t out of newcomers!!!!
i use Ubuntu, and i'm really happy
Far too many. A smaller number should enable resources to be put to better use.
I prefer CentOS for my use...
Choice is good, but requires a lot more effort into it and we all know "people" is/are lazy.
I agree with you all that they should actually try and work on a common basis a lil' ahead of the kernel into X territory.
And where's Gentoo in all that? XD
Cheers!
400 distros? Whatever floats their boat.
Why can't they just make a concatenated Linux OS?
Call it something like, I don't know, Grand Unified Linux or something.
Which can install any package you throw at it.
Which works with most plugins and software out there.
If you can do that you can get some more adoption since developers know what they're developing for.
Why can't they just make a concatenated Linux OS?Call it something like, I don't know, Grand Unified Linux or something.Which can install any package you throw at it.Which works with most plugins and software out there.If you can do that you can get some more adoption since developers know what they're developing for.
There you all go making sense again.
The problem really is that anyone can take a distro change somethings and call it a new distro. Like the Hanna Montanna Distro, which just changes the background and some icons.
As far as I can tell, there is just one linux, and then four-six (more or less) DEs, then a handfull of WM, then hundreds of aplications and more than a few ways to package them... by saying 400 linux distributions it means there is 400 succesfull (more or less again) convinations of the just metioned data... and if you still don't see one that it fits you, just make your own.
Tell me again, what is Linux used for?
agreed people focus on taking a distribution , change appearance of desktop rename it instead of working on one distribution and optimizing it and for the hell get some decent game on it.
Raise your hand if you publish a linux distro!
p.s. This is the reason Linux is getting nowhere
I personally prefer to roll my own. www.linuxfromscratch.org. if you really want to know how linux works, this is a great place to start. it will walk you through compiling your own linux from source code. when your finished you will have a very limited linux system, which you can customize to you likeing by using Beyond Linux From Scratch.
Tell me again, what is Linux used for?
Not only used for servers but to wreck havoc on your Wind0ze machine
I think the problem remains that Linux isn't mainstream. When Johny, heading off to school, says "I need a computer" he isn't thinking Linux. He's thinking Mac or Wintel. I would like to see that change. Is there no profit in making a version of Linux that has the device and technical support AND ease of use to be the preferred platform for the average user? Something with emulation built in so that folks could still, easily, run all their Windows programs without having to be computer enthusiasts to do so. A distro that can play at least some of the Windows games well enough to be a true alternative.
If they can get this together and MARKET IT TO THE MASSES using TELEVISION we might see a change one day.
Guy goes into a computer store and asks the guy behind the counter:-
...
Guy behind the counter thinks:-
...
Guy behind the counter says:-
...
That's the real reason Linux is a 'hobby' OS
400 distributions and yet not a single one I'd use over Windows XP.
Guy goes into a computer store and asks the guy behind the counter:-...Guy behind the counter thinks:-...Guy behind the counter says:-...That's the real reason Linux is a 'hobby' OS
Linux Mint for anyone new to Linux.
The biggest problem with Linux is that there is no standardized GUI viewpoint into the kernel. Whenever you have a driver problem, or some device isn't working, or a program crashes, either you interact with the kernel via command line or you use GUI applications like GNOME's task manager that are built on top of it and rarely compatible across desktop environments. The result is there is no standard device manager or way to fix hardware problems, so any software problem gets blown out of proportion by relation.
But really, Linux Mint for new people, non-Unity Ubuntu for the middle user, Debian / Arch / Suse / Gentoo for the hardware with a command line fetish.
I think we are generally heading in a single direction though. Debian has become the distro tree for consumer Linux, because its package system beats everything else at navigation. Meanwhile, Red Hat / Fedora wins at the server space, because it is so customizable down to the Kernel modules even at run time.
Everyone else, really, is just reinventing the wheel. It is better to start arguing with the people working on X or RPM or some other already built up codebase application than to say "well, they already spent 10 years on it, but I'm sure we can reinvent it and make it even better than the already at market product in a few months, because we are motivated!".
wow it is no wonder they are bad in the dektop world. anyone wanting to take the plunge wouldn't know which version to go with and which version will be able to work with all there hardware.
Linux Mint for anyone new to Linux.The biggest problem with Linux is that there is no standardized GUI viewpoint into the kernel. Whenever you have a driver problem, or some device isn't working, or a program crashes, either you interact with the kernel via command line or you use GUI applications like GNOME's task manager that are built on top of it and rarely compatible across desktop environments. The result is there is no standard device manager or way to fix hardware problems, so any software problem gets blown out of proportion by relation.But really, Linux Mint for new people, non-Unity Ubuntu for the middle user, Debian / Arch / Suse / Gentoo for the hardware with a command line fetish.I think we are generally heading in a single direction though. Debian has become the distro tree for consumer Linux, because its package system beats everything else at navigation. Meanwhile, Red Hat / Fedora wins at the server space, because it is so customizable down to the Kernel modules even at run time.Everyone else, really, is just reinventing the wheel. It is better to start arguing with the people working on X or RPM or some other already built up codebase application than to say "well, they already spent 10 years on it, but I'm sure we can reinvent it and make it even better than the already at market product in a few months, because we are motivated!".
Why would someone go through this when they can get a Mac/OSX or a PC/Windows? ...THAT is why Linux is not more successful. It doesn't compete in the way that is important for at least 90% (I'm being generous) of the users, who just want their computers "to work".
Its 2011, going on 2012. Computers have become commodities for most of the industrialized world. They need to work as well as your toaster or refrigerator for everything you want to do with them. The closer a computer is to that goal the more popular it will be with the non-enthusiast. This is why Windows and OSX do as well as they do. More features but easier to use...with each version.
400 versions strong, all pwnd by Windows 7 alone...
Thank you, Microsoft. I am eternally grateful to you for making me able to use that toy called "Linux" only at work.
That's exactly why Linux will never be main stream.
Not only used for servers but to wreck havoc on your Wind0ze machine
Lol, I'd love yo see you try. Unlike your precious Linux, Windows machines are capable of existing fully isolated from any networks.
400 distributions my foot. It's more like 12 that are "borrowed" with a different theme or wallpaper. Heck, I could make my own Spider Linux if I wanted it. Start from Debian Stable, throw in a custom cursor with a little spider (a la SliTaz), add the first dark theme I find from gnome-look.org and turn it into a bootable ISO. There you go. Number 401.
Choice is good! If someone thinks of tampering with The Linux Community (insert thunder here) - a whooping 1% - they would have to jump through hoops to infect several hundred repositories, package it into various containers (Debian .deb, Ubuntu .deb, Suse .rpm, Fedora .rpm), then there are source-based distros... which anyone can inspect a package at any time. Really, it's just not worth it. It would be much more easy to go after the 90% Windows users.
Mac OS I hear is also gaining popularity (something like 5% if I remember correctly). It would mean that they have 5x more fish to bite (oh, and they'll bite... OS X users are pretty herp derp click click next finish. They seriously think that Macs can't get viruses).
I think the Linux advocates that promote the OS based on the large amount of choice being offered claiming that choice is a strength need to look at studies such as this: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/ [...] tcuts.html too much choice breeds indecision. I like linux, but I'd never use it day to day, and working in IT, I would hate to have to support 400 different distributions, it'd be a PITA!
Windows may not have ALL the power of linux, and it may not be suited to everyone, but by enforcing certain standards and giving almost no choice what-so-ever it has become the main stream. Plus of course all of Microsoft's efforts are focused on producing one OS, rather than multiple ones of lower calibre.
Holy moly that's a lot of distros!. at least Mac keeps under one and windows under one disc. This is crazy!.
I like linux, but I'd never use it day to day, and working in IT, I would hate to have to support 400 different distributions, it'd be a PITA!
You don't have to support anything. A competent user would know how to browse the wiki, google the problem or ask for help on the forums or IRC channel. Heck if everyone used Linux (and RTFM every once in a while), you'd be out of a job. I recently talked to someone working in this "PC repair" sector and he was absolutely revolted by the idea of free software. I laughed my ass off when I got home. The man made a living fixing Windows problems, what can I say.
Plus of course all of Microsoft's efforts are focused on producing one OS, rather than multiple ones of lower calibre.
Except they have like 5 different flavours (Starter, Home Premium, Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate), then they have to issue out patches for them, including for Windows Vista, and, if I'm not mistaken for Windows XP too. Oh, and they also have Windows Phone 7, and working on Windows 8. What the hell are you smoking? "One" OS ?? What would you call XP, Vista, Windows 7 Starter, WP 7 if not Windows of lower calibre?