this post was submitted on 13 Jan 2026
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Linux

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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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In StatCounter's latest US numbers, which cover through October, Linux shows up as only 3.49%. But if you look closer, "unknown" accounts for 4.21%. Allow me to make an educated guess here: I suspect those unknown desktops are actually running Linux. What else could it be? FreeBSD? Unix? OS/2? Unlikely.

In addition, ChromeOS comes in at 3.67%, which strikes me as much too low. Leaving that aside, ChromeOS is a Linux variant. It just uses the Chrome web browser for its interface rather than KDE Plasma, Cinnamon, or another Linux desktop environment. Put all these together, and you get a Linux desktop market share of 11.37%. Now we're talking.

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[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The desktop is only one part of possible way of utilizing Linux. If you only count the desktop, then say you are only talking about the desktop. Linux is in every Android smartphone. Apps being compatible is not a thing because of the Kernel, but the entire operating system. Just because your end user software from Android phone does not run native on your "random" desktop Linux operating system, does not mean both wouldn't use Linux as its core.

you are stuck on technicalities and the literal definition of the word “linux”

So you are? The entire topic is about the definition and counting what Linux is. Even the reply to what I replied is addressing this topic. What do you even mean by "literal definition"? What definition are you talking about, an imaginary definition the way you want it to define? Linux is the Kernel. And a distribution is the operating system around the Kernel, to access the functionality the Kernel provides and connects to the hardware.

[–] mr_right@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

ok fine let me ask you then why are we celebrating or even talking about this 11.37% what's even the point of discussion? we already dominate the server space

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] mr_right@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago

You precious little thing. never change