[kwlug-disc] Linux Journal says Mandriva best distribution

[unsolicited]

Insurance Squared Inc. wrote, On 05/14/2010 2:35 PM:
> ..well, I had to read between the lines to get that little snippet. But 
> Linux Journal this month has some very interesting articles.  They 
> discuss the history of the various linux distributions including how and 
> why they were formed.  And they have a grid of the top 16 linux 
> distributions with kernel version, first release date, % of users and a 
> variety of other stats like whether it's best for server or desktop.
> 
> Ubuntu shows 31% of users.  Suse is next at 11%.  Debian and Fedora have 
> 9% of users.  Arch linux has 7% of users (I've never even heard of that) 
> and Mandriva is next at 6%.  Then there's the next 10.
> 
> They also discuss how/why such a wide variety of distro's could be 
> problematic.  My opinion is just the opposite - all these distros are 
> creating a healthy, competive environment.  I don't know why that would 
> be - the opposite seems intuitive.  But nevertheless Linux is not just 
> surviving but actually thriving and growing even despite there being 
> 15-20 common distributions.

Think MS and IE being nefarious to Netscape. Without which the 
internet would not be what it is, a common standard of information 
presentation, as pervasive as it is.

Out of that standard use comes things like Firefox, let alone the 
cross-OS app called 'the browser.' Initial fragmentation wasn't helpful.

In the case of distros, for the moment, more is not better - more has 
prevented Linux from becoming a real alternative choice for the 
majority of desktop users in the world. IMO. If Linux could get its 
collective arse together, the principles behind FOSS would be farther 
advanced today than it is. [It's ridiculous, still, that popular 
perception is that one must buy proprietary software, such as Quicken, 
to file taxes.]

Distros like Mandriva fragment the market, while things like Mint work 
within. Two different approaches.

It would be interesting to see charts on the growth of Mandriva vs. 
the growth of Mint, since Mint arrived.

Having said all this ... ubuntu is a relatively new player. For some 
reason it has been far more 'successful' (pervasive, today?), than 
Mandriva. I can't think why, and correct me if I'm wrong, except that 
a deep pocketed, marketing savvy, philanthropist (?), came along.

> If you've got access to the article, it's an interesting read.  Looks 
> like they make the articles available online after a month or two.