We've all seen the comments about how Windows 10 has finally convinced people to switch operating systems but today we have numbers which show that some may have been true to their word. According to Netmarketshare the marketshare of Windows on desktop machines has dropped below 90% for the first time. Mac OSX holds onto 3.96% of the market but the Other category is up to 8.59%, which is the category that represents the various flavours of Linux; it holds 1.56%, as well as other non-Microsoft OSes. It may not be the year of Linux but it certainly is not Microsoft's year. You can read the calm, rational discussion over at Slashdot on this topic, it is guaranteed to provide amusement.
"Windows 7 is still the king, but it no longer holds the majority. Nine months after Windows 10's release, Windows 7 has finally fallen below 50 percent market share and Windows XP has dropped into single digits. While this is good news for Microsoft, April was actually a poor month for Windows overall, which for the first time owned less than 90 percent of the market, according to the latest figures from Net Applications."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- If the Internet of Things will be SOOO BIG why did Broadcom just quit the market? @ The Register
- Intel loses its ARM wrestling match, kicks out Atom mobe chips @ The Register
- Iron Man-Inspired ROG GT51 Gaming Desktop Revealed @ Tech ARP
- Linksys LGS116P 16-Port Business Desktop Gigabit PoE+ Switch Review @ NikKTech
- Has Mankind Gone Too Far With Drone Fishing? @ Hack a Day
- Must listen: We've found the real Bastard Operator From Hell @ The Register
I’d just like to interject
I’d just like to interject for a moment. What you’re refering to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/LInux, or as I’ve recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.
Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux”, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.
There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine’s resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
I think Chromebook’s have
I think Chromebook’s have somewhat helped Linux as many stats include Chrome OS as Linux desktop. No doubt some Windows users have become fed up with how Microsoft is treating its users. I myself have tried a couple Linux desktop distro’s to see how well they handle my hardware. Not married to much in Windows programs so switching to Linux is doable. But I also do not see Linux gaining leaps and bounds away from Windows which still has a significant market share and will continue to do so. However, Ubuntu, Mint and other distro’s offer a pretty stable choice away from Windows as well as Chrome OS devices that many who do much of their work in a browser could move too. My recent experience with Mint and Ubuntu on a SkyLake notebook was not stellar in battery life, or stability. But at least all hardware was detected and worked. Just not as well as with Windows 10.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B12rp2DCYAEH-sa.png:large
I use Windows 7 and Linux
I use Windows 7 and Linux Mint 18.3 operating systems presently at home. I really do not like Windows 10. Windows 10 is actually three things.
First, it’s a telemetry gathering platform for Microsoft. Microsoft slurps up huge amounts of data direct from within the operating system core. It helps them make an accurate picture of the user allowing them to monetize them in various ways.
Second, it’s designed as a portal to push the user into Microsoft services. Many things within Windows 10 (OneDrive, Groove, Microsoft Store et cetera) all nudge users into these services.
Lastly, Windows 10 is an ad platform. Advertisements are injected into various parts of the system in order to extract money from the user.