After 30 Years, Linux Finally Hits 3% Market Share
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Linux enthusiasts rejoice! After a long journey, according to StatCounter's data, by June 2023, Linux has achieved a 3% desktop market share.
  • wiggles@programming.dev
    33·
    1 year ago

    The reddit API debacle sent me down a Lemmy, FOSS, Linux, privacy, hacker rabbit hole that I will hopefully and happily never have to leave. My eyes are opened to a better future. I’ll probably be duel booting windows for awhile still to keep up for my job, but I have been able to start transitioning away pretty easily thanks to the hard work of linux desktop devs. I am so grateful for the FOSS community and hope to contribute myself someday.

    • SSUPII@sopuli.xyz
      3·
      1 year ago

      I’ve been mostly using Windows in a VM. I’ve not booted into my Windows partition for months now while sitting there almost untouched for 2 and an half years, and in one week or two I am getting rid of it. And with my Steam Deck coming I will install Windows on that on an SD Card, so in case I ever need a physical Windows system for something (likely some anti-cheat crippled game, or Microsoft Store exclusive game, or a software that for some reason doesn’t work on Wine or in the VM) I have one ready.

  • Akari@lemmy.ml
    24·
    1 year ago

    The true year of linux is not any specific year or a userbase percentage but when linux is widely preinstalled on consumer hardware without nerds needing to recommend to people to install it themselves

    The steamdeck is the first step to that future

    • ForbiddenRoot@lemmy.ml
      6·
      1 year ago

      In my region (India), for a while, there seemed to be plenty of laptops available with Linux installed as an option. Then again in the last few years that seems to have withered down to almost none, sometimes even if the same model is available with Linux in some other regions. I am not sure what changed. Perhaps some deal with Microsoft. The good part is that the fact that they do support Linux elsewhere on the same laptop configuration generally means its easy to get it up and running yourself even if it does not come pre-installed.

      In any case, as an old-timer, it’s very impressive to me how much hardware Linux supports nowadays without any drama at all. Not to mention all the progress made in software especially in supporting Windows-only games, which is truly magical work by the Wine / Proton teams. As far as I am concerned the “Year of Linux Desktop” is here already since I can use it daily without missing absolutely anything at all from Windows.

      • Anarch157a@lemmy.worldOP
        4·
        1 year ago

        That was the same in Brazil, where I live. This scared the beejesus out of Microsoft, so they created special, cheaper version for developing countries to counter it.

    • Botree@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      Steam Deck is the first taste I get of Linux. I’ve always had this fear of not being able to fully utilize a Linux OS due to my lack of skills in coding, but I find myself looking into it more ever since I got a Steam Deck. It may just be the right excuse I need to git gud in coding.

      Edit: Thanks for the clarification and encouragement guys. I’m going to make it a mission to move to Linux ASAP since it feels like Windows has been really pushing the limits of privacy these days.

      • mrmanager@lemmy.today
        1·
        1 year ago

        You don’t need coding, don’t worry. :) It’s useful to start learning the Linux command line however.

    • BaumGeist@lemmy.ml
      2·
      1 year ago

      The steamdeck is the first step to that future

      I’m sure people said the same about android

      I get that SteamOS is an actual desktop distro, and that’s closer to a daily driver than any android or bespoke *nix compatible SOC OS, but I doubt we’ll see this spread from steamdeck to daily drivers, unless…

      Unless linux can offer some feature windows/mac/ios do not, or at least market itself as doing so the way that Apple does, and get the overwhelming majority of tech consumers—who want nothing more than to keep up with the joneses and see the hardware specs numbers get bigger—to FOMO into it

      Unfortunately that would conflict with the most enticing features it does have that no one else does: a code of ethics that are inherently anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian. And honestly, who wants every Linux community, online or off, flooded with consumers who only care about the newest Feature™ and have no care about maintaining software freedom?

        • BaumGeist@lemmy.ml
          1·
          1 year ago

          True, but Apple has already pivoted to being the “privacy-friendly” OS/devices. Whether or not that’s true–I don’t know for certain (I have a hunch, though)–they have much more visibility and influence and marketing, and therefore will cement themselves in people’s minds that way.

          Besides, I like the idea of Linux existing outside the capitalist paradigm; instead of competing with the big names in the market, it’s on the outskirts playing its own game and absolutely crushing it. It has survived decades based almost entirely on word of mouth between computer nerds instead of vying for attention in the mainstream. As a technology it has achieved the platonic ideal: it is so good at what it does that it doesn’t need marketing, it survives solely on reputation and quality and user upkeep.

      • vd1n@lemmy.ml
        2·
        1 year ago

        The only thing I see holding people back is software availability. If it could run adobe and games natively I don’t see why anyone would want to pay for windows.

        • BaumGeist@lemmy.ml
          1·
          1 year ago

          run adobe and games natively

          1. adobe sucks for the same reasons I alluded to in my last paragraph. Money-grubbing corporation company hurts developers by patenting, trademarking, and copyrighting every minor feature in their programs to the point where FOSS alternatives have to bend over backwards to find ways to implement some of the same functionality. The problem isn’t linux, the problem is adobe, the problem is profit-motive, the problem is capitalism.

          2. IDK what distro you use, but I’m using Debian, and it does run games natively–nearly half of the ones I own on steam. Not all of them, but that’s not Linux’s fault, that’s not Gnu’s fault, that’s not Debian’s fault: they already offer compatibility layers and yet that’s not good enough for everyone, and there’s not much they can do beyond that outside of building a windows clone (or at least a partial clone) that would probably get them sued. To run natively, the devs would have to compile it to run on Linux and the ones that don’t are making the choice to not do so–consciously or not, because of profits or not; it’s hard to say why, even indie devs who make free games as a hobby sometimes choose not to, so it’s not as easily dismissed with “because capitalism”

          That all being said, the “software availability” criticism can cut both ways. I’ve found so many tools and utilities and apps and FOSS programs that are only made available for linux (unless one is willing to port them oneself), and there isn’t an app or program I use everyday that I haven’t found a linux-compatible alternative for. The glaring exception being games; to me that wasn’t a huge deal, I’ll bite that bullet because I’d rather go without kernel-privileged spyware for an OS–and the same for an anti-cheat engine–than play a triple-A on maximum graphics, play online multiplayers that require microsecond reaction time, or other such use cases where Proton actively hinders UX. Like I said, I’d rather have anti-authoritarian computers than worry about keeping up with the performance spec joneses

          • mifan@feddit.dk
            1·
            1 year ago

            I think it’s more about trying to change particular industries. If all of Adobes software was available for Linux in a supported and stable versions, you could see changes in the OS used in lots of design and creativity industries, which again would change what OS people use at home.

            Also I think the force of being open source and spread over so many distros, is also a weakness in terms of getting the mainstream user to use it. My dad will call me or ask his friend about how you do this and that in Windows, but if our OS per default looks different from what others are using, he will not be able to get the same kind of help from his near community, and will have to rely on a more technical kind of support.

            And things have to work out of the box. If I hear “You CAN get it to work” - I won’t use it. I need things to just work, I don’t have time to (nor interrest in) spending a night mingeling with config files to have simple things do the things they’re supposed to.

        • moon_matter@kbin.social
          11·
          1 year ago

          Software is definitely at the top of the list in terms of reasons. But the UX/UI definitely leaves something to be desired. I sigh heavily every time an application asks me to edit a text-based config file instead of giving me a GUI. It’s an unnecessary, error-prone process and most importantly I have better things to do than read yet another page of documentation. That doesn’t mean I want the config file to go away, it’s still very useful for a variety of reasons. But I shouldn’t have to mess around with it just to remap keys or other common tasks. Editing a config file should be a last resort for an end user.

          You see similar problems when relying on the terminal. I don’t like this idea of the end user being allowed to mess around without a safety net or some sort of guidance.

  • ShustOne@lemmy.one
    211·
    1 year ago

    I love Linux but I’ve been hearing this song since 2002. I’d love for it to grow bigger but we should stop framing it as the year of Linux.

    • Victron@lemmy.world
      8·
      1 year ago

      I’ve been hearing this song since 2002

      That’s the joke, my guy. THIS TIME IS REAL!

      • lol@lemm.ee
        2·
        1 year ago

        I met the linux kernel on the bus station on my way home yesterday, and asked him about this and he answered with a simple “yes” and left.

    • psycho_driver@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      Android sits on top of linux so linux is already by far the most widely used operating system in the world in consumer devices.

  • totallynotfbi@lemmy.fmhy.ml
    12·
    1 year ago

    So, these statistics apparently come from StatCounter, a web analytics company. I know that this is probably the best way of collecting usage metrics for the entire Internet, but I think this is less efficient for counting Linux users - after all, I would say that the proportion of Linux users who also use content blockers is pretty high. Even if it weren’t the case, most distributions ship with Firefox pre-installed, which automatically blocks trackers out-of-the-box.

    Also, wouldn’t this also count an embedded device with a WebView as a “Linux user”? For example, smart TVs have a web browser, and typically identify themselves with a “Generic Linux” user-agent.

  • Coeus@coeus.sbs
    7·
    1 year ago

    I just wiped Windows from my main PC the other day and put Linux Mint on there. Feels good man.

    • mrmanager@lemmy.today
      2·
      1 year ago

      I remember in the beginning when leaving windows how quiet everything was. No notifications from windows about all kinds of shit, no ads and no interruptions. Have you noticed how calm it feels?

    • itsJoelleScott@lemmy.world
      1·
      1 year ago

      Good on you mate, and welcome aboard!

      Assuming it isn’t you first time: there’s a slight learning curve, but once you’re passed a few months and you’ve resolved a few issues on your own you won’t look back!

      Look into KDE extensions to customize your desktop just the way you want it! My windows wobble around or fizzle out of existence when I close them. :)

      • Coeus@coeus.sbs
        2·
        1 year ago

        My first introduction to Linux was back in College in 2005. I ended up doing it off college but I’ve messed with Linux on and off over the years. A few months back I put GalliumOS on my Chromebook and I’ve done all sorts of stuff with the Raspberry pi. I wouldn’t say I’m proficient in the slightest and I know very few terminal commands but I think I can manage.

        • itsJoelleScott@lemmy.world
          1·
          1 year ago

          Oh, you’ll be fine then. Haven’t used Mint personally, but I’ve heard good things about it! Always reach out for help.

          • Coeus@coeus.sbs
            2·
            1 year ago

            I’ve federated my server with a lot of Linux content so I’m pretty much surrounded on Lemmy.

    • myxi@feddit.nl
      12·
      1 year ago

      Hello, I want you to know that Linux Mint has some issues:

      • Their site was hacked twice and a malware-infected ISO was being distributed.
      • They have a mixture of repositories where they get certain crucial things from Ubuntu’s repositories; this can cause trouble.

      That being said, you may want to give Ubuntu officials a try instead.

  • niva@discuss.tchncs.de
    6·
    1 year ago

    Is this with or without the steam deck?

    Not that I don’t like the steam deck, I think it is really great for linux adaption. I am just curious.

    • teawrecks@sopuli.xyz
      7·
      1 year ago

      This is in the StatCounter FAQ:

      Are laptops included in the desktop platform?

      Yes. Laptops and desktop machines are included in the desktop platform together. We use the browser useragent to determine the platform and there is not enough information contained in the useragent to distinguish between laptops and desktops. That is why we do not have a separate laptop platform.

      So it sounds like they’re using the useragent to distinguish between mobile and desktop. So most likely, yes, steam decks would be counted as desktops, but only to the degree that they are used to browse the internet. I suspect most steam deck users don’t do that, but I don’t know, I don’t have a steam deck.

    • Dubious_Fart@lemmy.ml
      8·
      1 year ago

      Check out protondb.

      Pretty much the only thing you cant play are games with really nasty AntiCheat/DRM.

      Everything else, if its not good now? It’ll probably be good in a update or two from proton/GE

    • Andrenikous@lemm.ee
      6·
      1 year ago

      I’ve dabbled in linux for years but could never break my reliance on windows. I got a Steam deck and realized there was enough compatibility to justify moving to linux. So I just recently gave a flavor of linux called Nobara a shot. It’s by a Red Hat engineer that contributes heavily to getting games working in linux through Proton. My experience has been way better but I wouldn’t say perfect. I think it’s worth checking out to see if it works for you.

      • Cyo@lemmy.world
        2·
        1 year ago

        I love Linux, I hate Windows, I installed Linux, but there was one thing proton could not hanlde, all my visual novels. I’ll completely switch to linux when it supports visual novels or Virtual Machines with a smooth performance (or when I finish reading all the visual novels) Damn, I’m trapped on Windows 10 until that day.

    • SirFredman@lemmy.ml
      2·
      1 year ago

      I’ve been playing most of my games on Linux since, well, years. When Valve introduced Proton it made things even easier, and currently I just enable Proton Experimental on Windows games and it just, works…really impressive when you think about it :)

      • Madnessx9@lemmy.world
        1·
        1 year ago

        How is the experience with online multiplayer?

        I’ve enjoyed using my steamdeck and that OS. Would happily install a desktop variant of SteamOS when available but I mainly play single player games on the deck, I worry I won’t be able to enjoy a number of multiplayer games.

        • Kes@lemmy.blahaj.zone
          1·
          1 year ago

          Depends on the game’s anticheat. ProtonDB is a site that tracks Steam Deck (and Linux in general) support for games. You can check what you play to see if it would run on Linux with Proton, the tool Steam uses to run Windows games on Linux. If you want a desktop similar to SteamOS, any distro that supports KDE Plasma will have the same desktop as SteamOS’ desktop mode, with the new Big Picture Mode on Steam being the Steam Deck’s game mode

  • wheeldawg@sh.itjust.works
    3·
    1 year ago

    I decided years ago to switch next time I change OS. I’m not ever getting Windows 11, but I’m still too much of a lazy bastard to move off Windows 10 til it stops getting support.

    Maybe a wild hair up my ass to do it early will hit, but at the latest I’ll switch when 10 is dead. Or if I decide to finally build a new machine to update my poor dinosaur it’ll have Linux day 1.

    In the meantime I’ll have to do some homework on proton and such to learn what I’m getting into with games so I can hit the ground running.

  • Ziro@lemmy.world
    2·
    1 year ago

    I know it’s not a very Linuxy distro, but Linux Mint (Cinnamon) is so easy to use, especially for Windows users. I’ve completely replaced Windows (and with better software), aside from using Windows for a few games that require it. I used Ubuntu, Suse, and Fedora long ago, but for me, Mint takes the proverbial cake.

    • pruneaue@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      2·
      1 year ago

      Being a beginner distro doesnt make mint any less linuxy. Its probably the gest recommendation to convert people over from windows

    • PurpleGreen@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      I’m a linux user in the past 20years, and used to work with high maintenance / cutting edge distros like arch but grew tired and now use exclusively mint. Very stable, quiet, beautiful ux (tho cinnamon can look more modern).

      • quat@lemmy.sdfeu.org
        2·
        1 year ago

        I think many linux users go through a similar journey. In the beginning you feel a need to tweak everything manually, you take pride in it being difficult and you polish your dotfiles. Modifying the OS itself is 90% of what you use the computer for. You have strong opinions on tiling window managers. But then that becomes kind of old when you need your computer for actual tasks and work. You want to work on your actual projects, not configure irssi or ncmpcpp. The joy of tinkering with the OS itself transforms into seeing it as a tool to do interesting things with. Still, now you have an idea of how to fix things, where to look, but configuring Xorg is not the fun part of using a computer.

  • netvor@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Linus Torvalds said somewhere, that in a weird irony, the reason why he made Linux in the first place was to use it on his desktop computer, yet desktop is the only market where Linux has not completely crushed all of its competition.

    • Freeman@lemmy.pubEnglish
      3·
      1 year ago

      It is getting better. But most people CANT use it as a daily driver.

      The unfortunate relaity is that MS rules the business space, and without native Outlook/Teams/Office is pretty tough. You can skimp by with browser based versions but still…That not gonna cut it for julie from HR i guess.

      I have been seriously considering trying it at work. But I do admin work. So many of the tools I use are opensource. Will still need RDP though.

    • netvor@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      where Linux has not completely crushed all of its competition

      …yet.

      But the time is coming! in 90000000000000003, 90000000000000002, 90000000000000001…

  • Lemmchen@feddit.deEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Year of the Linux desktop (as my daily driver) has been 2017 for me. Nowadays I dread having to work with Windows.

    • slimsalm@programming.devEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I like your thinking, I have a dual boot on laptop with windows 11 and LMDE installed, and its been a while since I booted to windows for personal use. Unfortunately for me I am still dependant of windows until Autodesk decides they will create the software I use for the linux environment as well. Until then, I’ll rock on with personal “freedom” of linux, while I’m a slave to the corporate / microsoft