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Alan Pope wrote: > 2009/1/16 Tom Potts <tompotts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>: > >> Its a tricky one to answer - I've 6 machines here with Linux on and one was >> paid for. I know of several machines with paid for Vista that now run XP or >> linux. >> > > If you're basing your stats on boxes sold then yes, Linux may well not > show up significantly on any of these lists. However that's not the > only way stats are compiled. Software downloads and business surveys > are often taken into account which is more representative of the real > state of affairs. > > >> That would come up in the stats as 1 linux, several vista. >> Linux may only have 1% market share but 99% of pc's may be running it and >> Vista may have 90% market share but only 1% of pc's trying to run it. >> > > Indeed, it is difficult to gauge, especially when Linux can be freely > copied, and there is nothing "phoning home" to show a successful > install/download. > > >> Market share is meaningless to anyone but bean counters. >> > > I disagree. If we want to show software vendors that Linux is a viable > platform for them, we need to be able to indicate how many potential > customers are out there. Shrugging our shoulders at them and say "I > dunno" isn't helping. Similarly hardware vendors need to invest time > and effort making their products Linux compatible. If they think Linux > represents near-zero market-share then there is no motivation for them > to make their products Linux-friendly. > > It's not just about graphs & charts and willy-waving competitions, > this stuff is actually important. > > Cheers, > Al. > > This is why I am asking, as I feel it's important to give business people stats that are real so we can really convince people Linux is no longer a toy used by geeks but a real operating system with real world users. If the DCGLUG wants to do meetings with talks / presentations to the wider community on the advantages then having upto date stats will make us look good, and get us support. It would certainly help with arguing a case for having Linux installed in say a school to give kids a taste of what is out there other than windows, and Mac, and help with awareness, of alternatives. Try suggesting adult education tutors they do Linux courses or courses in say open office, you end up getting told that there is no demand, or they are not interested if we know the stats then any requests can be backed up with real data. Paul -- Paul Sutton www.zleap.net Support Open and ISO standard file formats e.g ISO 26300 odt http://www.oasis-open.org/home/index.php Next Linux User Group meet : Feb 7th : 3pm (TBC), Shoreline Cafe Paignton -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html