Top Linux Distros (based on Netcraft toolbar)

[mediclaser]

Below is "The List" of top Linux distros in order of popularity (according to my source):

1. Kali Linux
2. CentOS
3. Ubuntu
4. Debian
5. Red Hat
6. Linux Mint
7. Arch Linux
8. FreeBSD
9. Manjaro
10. openSUSE
11. Fedora
12. Gentoo
13. elementary OS
14. Ubuntu MATE
15. Kubuntu
16. Zorin OS
17. KDE neon
18. Xubuntu
19. MX Linux
20. Slackware

I was actually expecting something close to the list from DistroWatch. Is this even close to what you guys think?

[all41]

We've talked about this many times here. The general consensus is 'depends on who you ask'----so
who did you ask

Good opinions here:
viewtopic.php?f=61&t=268933&hilit=manjaro

[catweazel]

Is this even close to what you guys think?

To be honest, and certainly not to be dismissive, many of us simply don't care. The subject has been done to death.

[Schultz]

Kali #1, and Manjaro #9? I'd get another source.

[Technically, #8 FreeBSD isn't a Linux distro.]

[xenopeek]

This sounds suspiciously like a famous 90s Toilet Duck commercial; "We, the people at Kali Linux, recommend Kali Linux." Your source must be counting popularity among penetration testers

[JeremyB]

Why list separate Ubuntu DE's but not do the same for the others?

[xenopeek]

Because those are separate distributions.

[Hoser Rob]

Kali #1, and Manjaro #9? I'd get another source.

[Technically, #8 FreeBSD isn't a Linux distro.]

Agreed. Kali +1? Not a hope in hell. Is this another case of someone thinking Distrowatch rankings mewan something? Because they don't.

[Moem]

Where did you find this list?

[Pepi]

Windows 10 is number 1

[mediclaser]

Netcraft toolbar is the source of this ranking. I checked the site rankings given by Netcraft to the main and forum websites of the distros listed in DistroWatch. I compiled them in a spreadsheet and sorted them by their Netcraft ranking.

[Moem]

So, more like Top Linux Distro Forums, then.

[mediclaser]

So, more like Top Linux Distro Forums, then.

At least I know it's less skewed compared to the ranking based on distro page click counts in DistroWatch site.

[lsemmens]

How about? We take a survey of all the members here to see which is the best Distro?

[smurphos]

At least I know it's less skewed compared to the ranking based on distro page click counts in DistroWatch site.

Not really - they are a web security company The metrics are measuring the most visited sites by people with the Netcraft browser add-on installed. So not a very representative sample and given the nature of their business likely skewed towards those with an interest in security/hacking etc - hence the prominence of Kali in the results.

From - https://toolbar.netcraft.com/help/faq/i ... ml#privacy

Will Netcraft know which pages I visit?
No — Netcraft has no way of knowing which pages an individual user visits when using the Extension. We do, however, collect the hostnames of the websites visited by our users in order to provide website popularity ranking information.

[Faust]

...... So not a very representative sample and given the nature of their business likely skewed towards those with an interest in security/hacking etc - hence the prominence of Kali in the results.
.....

I was about to mention skewing and the "bling" factor , ie. what is currently getting public attention , and why .

The TV series "Mr Robot " must surely be a factor in Kali's high hit rating .

[smurphos]

Or how many people struggle to use it and need to visit the forum for support...

[BG405]

Or how many people struggle to use it and need to visit the forum for support...

Those are my thoughts too.

[mediclaser]

...likely skewed towards those with an interest in security/hacking etc - hence the prominence of Kali in the results.
...

Bingo!
On the other hand, isn't security the main reason people switch to Linux? Is it possible people who learn more about Linux eventually try Kali? I personally can't imagine myself going that route though, even if I become good in Linux.

[Moem]

On the other hand, isn't security the main reason people switch to Linux?

Being secure is not the same as studying security. Many people switch to Linux because they want a system that is more secure; that doesn't mean they all want to learn how (this specific type of) hacking works.

Is it possible people who learn more about Linux eventually try Kali?

Of course. But not all of them. Not by a long shot.