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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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[–] Scio 32 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (4 children)

Every single one of my friends are on Linux. Only one of them is in "IT". Most of my family is on Linux, because they didn't want to deal with viruses and ads. (I don't even "IT" for any of them, so I wasn't consulted. At best I introduced them to the fact that Linux is at least as usable as Windows many years ago). A lot of my colleagues are on Linux; now, most of them are devs, but some of them are on macs and until Apples's Proton-clone becomes a viable option running Linux on them is just cleaner.

Obviously, we're less than a rounding error all summed together. Obviously, most of that number is from government issue systems. But it's not as bleak and impersonal as it seems.

But so what?

Why do these numbers matter at all? Is it inherently virtuous for a country to have a high number of willing Linux users? Or is it because at least these machines waste fewer resources, run cooler, and more secure? Then does it matter who and why installed Linux on them?

If their users are fine with using a browser for all their work, and the offices can buy these PCs for cheaper than Chromebooks after our infamous taxes, not to mention avoid being ewaste for much longer, this is a win-win situation whichever way we look at it.

P.S. that I also own a Steam Deck (and use as my only PC) probably doesn't help my everyman-credibility much 😅

In my defence, I could afford/justify it only because a good friend volunteered to buy it for me and bring it over. I wish things were different. But I'm happy I have one, at least.

[–] caustictrap 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I actually want a steam deck, just to show my friends linux can do most gaming. But it is so expensive here in india.

[–] Scio 3 points 8 months ago

I thought maybe now that the OLED is out the OG would be cheaper, but nope.

If you have friends or family in the US or UK though, perfect favor to call in :)

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