Why I disagree with Distrowatch Statistics and Say Ubuntu is the Number One Linux Desktop?
My gut feeling tells me that Ubuntu is the Number One Linux desktop.
I have collaborative evidence.
Number One
I have been downloading Linux distribution for the last three years years for testing.
I started with point to point and it was a painful procedure.
In fact in the beginning I had to do the downloading in a foreign country when I was on a short holiday.
Our download speed then was pity /pretty paltry (even now).
Then I changed over to k-torrent (I have written a piece here why one should use torrent instead of point to point) and Ubuntu was the only distribution I could download pretty fast.
There are many SEEDERS as well as Leechers.
I am currently downloading Ubuntu Studio which used to be very slow few years ago but going on smoothly over taking all the other distributions including LinuxMint Debian Mate which are in the queue for downloading.
For the last 4 days I was trying it and only one seeder.
Number Two.
I have no reason to disbelieve Mark Shuttleworth.
If he says there are currently 12 million users and will be 20 million at the end of this year,
I do not like to contest his claims.
He knows what he is talking about.
He is a guy who gave away Ubuntu FREE (CD / DVD) to millions over the world and I got a Collection of CD/DVD from his canonical sources, since my download speed was slow three years ago.
Number Three
I have never heard a guy / girl saying he / she using any other Linux distribution in this part of the world.
I do not use Ubuntu but I always test its latest version/s and write about it/them.
My reason for not using Ubuntu is also stated elsewhere.
One reason out of the many was not supporting Sinhala.
Redhat was the first to support Sinhala and Debian has default Sinhala installation now.
But I use Ubuntu derivatives and Debian liberally and in fact I love Pinguy Linux.
Government schools use Hanthana Linux which is a Redhat derivative and it is still not popular.
Number Four
It has all the packages both in common use and academic.
Number Five
Ubuntu One, the cloud service has hit over billion users few months ago.
It is popular and nobody can take over the evolutionary niche it has established in the WORLD of LINUX.
It is a matter for others to catch up with it.
If not other Linux distributions will become a piece of statistics in the History of Linux.
Ubuntu has given the other Linux distributions a leeway by promoting Unity Desktop.
It is time the other Linux distributions speak up for themselves with novel innovations.
Now that Texstar has taken a backseat even PCLINUX which I support because of FULLMONTY should take a leaf out of Ubuntu Evolution.
Mind you, PCLINUX was only in English few years ago but not now.
