Distrowatch Trend

beretta · 2008-04-22 15:11:40

I'm new to Arch, but I've loved it so far-- I feel right at home with it. So, I of course have interest in seeing this distro developed and gaining new popularity and support. I was a bit curious, so I looked at some of the statistics on Distrowatch.

As of today (22 April 2008), these are the statistics for hits per day:

last 12 months: 399, #20 on the list.
last 6 months: 410, #20 on the list.
last 3 months: 473, #19 on the list.
last 30 days: 595, #12 on the list.
last 7 days: 1114, #6 on the list!

Numbers are always up for debate and interpretation, of course

So my question is what would be the benefit of having more people take part in this distro, and what would be the problems we'd have to learn to deal with/prevent entirely? How much popularity can we really take before there are too many differing opinions on where Arch development should go?

Mikko777 · 2008-04-22 15:18:26

beretta wrote:

How much popularity can we really take before there are too many differing opinions on where Arch development should go?

Theres already too many "differing opinions where Arch development should go". But its not like the devs listen to 'em anyways so the real problem is people spamming forums with ubernoob questions without reading the fine manuals and teh great wiki!

Ps: Cerebral is teh hottest dev by far! ^_^

fwojciec · 2008-04-22 15:24:27

I don't think Arch devs care much about the popularity of the distro, and even less about the distrowatch ranking -- the priorities are different here and this is precisely why many of us use Arch.

EDIT: The recent hike in popularity is most likely a direct consequence of the fact that there was an announcement of the new RC iso on the main page of distrowatch.

Last edited by fwojciec (2008-04-22 15:26:24)

beretta · 2008-04-22 15:35:48

That would be my guess to it as well-- that and the new logo etc. recently. Those things do give it a polished feeling to the curious explorer finding it for the first time. I won't be surprised to see the numbers go back down, like I said I don't take stats like that too seriously. But I think it's an interesting question to consider-- what are the pros and cons of large growth in a user base?

.:B:. · 2008-04-22 16:11:27

Cons: too much noobs flocking in thinking they know the deal.

Pros: hopefully more skilled users that understand how Arch works and can help to improve it, not ubuntuise it.

Sigi · 2008-04-22 16:35:24

Cons:
- Newbies with requests à la "You should provide a graphical installer!", "Distro X does it like this, follow them!", etc.

Pros: Mentioned by B

Mandor · 2008-04-22 16:49:07

Cons: I don't see a real one. People requesting various things just don't get it and that's all. I can't see the harm.

Pros: More exposure will eventually bring more people willing and able to contribute (in any way, not just developing), even if they be an ever decreasing percentage of the influx. Is Arch says as it is the unneeded will be very soon away.

PS: I don't see the trend of ubuntuis-ation in Arch. Not a single thing to date. Not that it would be bad - there is just not enough resource for that and basically the idea is different.

.:B:. · 2008-04-22 17:03:13

The attitude is where it starts . It's not the majority that counts - if 80% of Arch users think something does not befit Arch, but 20% keeps whining about it, there's a good chance it will go in - eventually. If one voices his opinion frequently and loudly enough to make believe there's a lot of support behind the idea, things can get done. That's how it works. Pressure & lobbying.

jb · 2008-04-22 18:10:01

That, of course, can be superseded by an even louder dev.

mintcoffee · 2008-04-22 18:45:50

Everyone was a newb at one point. Sure, Arch Linux may not be for them, but giving them exposure to the Arch way is very, very important. If anything, it shows them that in the FOSS world, there are alternatives. Once they yearn for something more than the cookie cutter distro, they will come back to Arch, and will hopefully remember the 'friendly community'.

beretta · 2008-04-22 18:50:23

I think the friendliness of the community is essential too. One of the things that turned me off on gentoo (which I used for a number of years before coming here) was the argumentative elitism that was starting to appear. I remember when I first started with it, the forums were a fantastic environment. They're still a great place to get information for any distro, but it's a little more uncomfortable. I prefer kind chastisement to the coarse and outright vulgar flaming that can appear sometimes. So far I've not seen that here, and it makes me glad. If we can keep that, I think our forum setting will help people learn to be comfortable with learning.

Misfit138 · 2008-04-22 18:55:04

One thing I can assuredly say is that Arch devs give zero regard for page hit stats on DW.
I, however, get a kick out of it sometimes. I like the amount of exposure Arch gets, and I think it will attract more users. The ones who are up for the Arch Way will stay, and hopefully contribute to the community.
The ones who struggle with it will either leave or adapt and embrace it.
WIN-WIN.

Mandor · 2008-04-22 19:18:50

jb wrote:

That, of course, can be superseded by an even louder dev.

That, of course, resembles in a way Gentoo

But let not seek things that are not.

chilebiker · 2008-04-23 02:21:57

mintcoffee wrote:

Everyone was a newb at one point. Sure, Arch Linux may not be for them, ...

I don't agree. Arch is also suited for every n00b willing to learn and read and get the hands dirty. It's definitely not suited for those not willing to put in some effort.

Btw. who cares about distrowatch anyway?

toofishes · 2008-04-23 02:56:59

We sure don't care, I think I can speak on behalf of most devs.

Dirhael · 2008-04-23 03:16:51

I really just use distrowatch as a links guide. The rankings might be close to useless but I think it's a convenient place to find links and basic information on various distros.

dolby · 2008-04-23 10:30:42

People coming to Archlinux need to understand that this distro might be binary but its gonna stay true to its values and not hold their hand during each task they want to perform. If they dont try to change Archlinux but instead fit in and learn they are most welcome to stay.

ora · 2008-04-23 12:42:18

I think the arch way also means "Not Setting up Scriptures"

beretta · 2008-04-23 15:21:48

That's an interesting way to put it-- my view for the week I've been here is that the arch way is to provide the tools and framework for a system with any parts and accessories we want available directly or through 3rd parties-- kind of like building a car from a kit. Gentoo would have you machine your own parts, while LFS would have you forge your own tools.

I hope I didn't convey the impression that I think the distrowatch statistics are important-- very much the opposite. What I was noticing, though, was the trend in Arch's statistics at DW. It seems evident from that, and through comments by other users in the forum, that Arch is growing, and pretty quickly right now. I'm curious where that growth will lead us, is all.

TheBodziO · 2008-04-23 21:39:17

Whether DW stats are important or not: it's nice to see that „peak", ins't it?

peets · 2008-04-23 21:55:22

I agree with Misfit138. Win-win.

The Arch Way is clear and I think no mass of users can change it. The arch community is not in an identity crisis; the culture is known: it's The Arch Way. I don't think that will ever change noticeably, much like Unix. There can be bumps, but Arch will always tend towards elegance. Or else there will be forks

Misfit138 · 2008-04-23 22:20:57

peets wrote:

I agree with Misfit138.

We always agree.

zouzou85 · 2008-04-23 22:43:59

may the arch way prevail.

ninian · 2008-04-23 23:01:20

This trend from Google looks good for Arch (in red):
http://www.google.com/trends?q=mepis%2C … all&sort=0
and is probably no less indicative than the DistroWatch figures ...

peets · 2008-04-24 03:46:23

Misfit138 wrote:

We always agree.

Right!

Google trends!? I didn't know such a thing existed! Looks very interesting.

Arch Linux

#1 2008-04-22 15:11:40

Distrowatch Trend

#2 2008-04-22 15:18:26

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#3 2008-04-22 15:24:27

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#4 2008-04-22 15:35:48

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#5 2008-04-22 16:11:27

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#6 2008-04-22 16:35:24

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#7 2008-04-22 16:49:07

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#8 2008-04-22 17:03:13

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#9 2008-04-22 18:10:01

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#10 2008-04-22 18:45:50

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#11 2008-04-22 18:50:23

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#12 2008-04-22 18:55:04

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#13 2008-04-22 19:18:50

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#14 2008-04-23 02:21:57

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#15 2008-04-23 02:56:59

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#16 2008-04-23 03:16:51

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#17 2008-04-23 10:30:42

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#18 2008-04-23 12:42:18

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#19 2008-04-23 15:21:48

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#20 2008-04-23 21:39:17

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#21 2008-04-23 21:55:22

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#22 2008-04-23 22:20:57

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#23 2008-04-23 22:43:59

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#24 2008-04-23 23:01:20

Re: Distrowatch Trend

#25 2008-04-24 03:46:23

Re: Distrowatch Trend

Board footer