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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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The truth about linux having 15% market share in India. (self.linux)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by caustictrap to c/[email protected]

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I am from india. These numbers are inflated due to our population and government and health sector office pc using linux (ubuntu). These office pcs just require a chrome browser and all the work is done on the browser Nobody here cares what os they use in their office pc. I don't see anyone here switching to linux on their personal pc other than the IT students who are forced to install kali linux. And most of them are running linux on virtualbox on windows.

Steam deck is not even officially sold here and imported ones that are sold cost 950$ for the 512 gb variant. So it is a ultra niche item here. .

People here buy desktops only for gaming/content creation, which means most households here doesn't need/require a desktop. And these people always prefer mac or windows.

Also gaming scene here is dominated by mobile games (because gaming pcs and consoles are too expensive and we have the cheapest internet and phone prices) As for pc games it is dominated by valorant, Minecraft and gtav (fivem rp).

Edit - Many consider this a huge win. But getting market share in the office space for basic browsing and word processing inflates the numbers for actual game/app developers who wants to support linux and they will disappointed seeing the actual usage and they will abandon the linux support. Also the indian market isn't buying laptop/desktops for browsing, they just use their phone because pc hardware is expensive and phones prices are cheap. And anyone who is buying desktops for serious tasks stick to windows and mac.

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[+] caustictrap -27 points 8 months ago (4 children)

All they need is a chrome browser, so why would the government waste money on windows licences? A huge win is when personal pcs switch to linux. Linux doing basic web browsing and word processing is not a huge win.

[–] [email protected] 48 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

My sister only uses her MacBook to access Safari and watch YouTube videos. Should she be counted?

I understand what you mean, and these aren't people intentionally installing Linux in their houses... And while that would be better, it's not the only win. Government employees in India using Linux on Chrome means that Google has more incentive to make Chrome better on Linux. It means that people have less reason the arbitrarily block Linux users from their website. It means maybe in the future, Linux will be installed on school laptops as well.

Is it the Year of the Linux Desktop? No. Is 15% still misleading, hence your post is a good PSA? Yes. But is the 15% not a win? Nah, it's still a win!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Most schools in India already use some distribution of Linux.

[–] caustictrap -4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

My point being web browsing and word processing was never a problem on linux or any other os. It is being used just because it is cheaper and people who buy personal pcs are still on windows or mac and they dont switch

[–] someacnt_ 3 points 8 months ago

Oh boy, I have had such a different experience.. So many websites used to not working.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I would highly disagree with you. Linux doing basic web browsing and word processing is a huge win. Those two are where people who don't care just default to Windows, which makes it much harder for people who want to use Linux in a professional setting outside of software development. If professional documents default to .odt instead of .docx, that's massive progress in my mind.

[–] caustictrap 6 points 8 months ago

Yes you are right. It will increase marketshare giving it more support.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Linux doing basic web browsing and word processing is not a huge win.

This is what the majority of desktop computers and laptops are used for, so if the majority of people can start using Linux and not care or notice any difference, then that is a huge win. It means more software developed for Linux, more open file formats, etc.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

@caustictrap @OsrsNeedsF2P you are entirely missing the point about linux