Date: Wed, 01 Sep 1999 19:51:01 -0600 From: Brett Glass <brett@lariat.org> To: Frank Pawlak <fpawlak@execpc.com> Cc: "Jordan K. Hubbard" <jkh@zippy.cdrom.com>, freebsd-chat@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Sorry, I just couldn't let this go by... Message-ID: <4.2.0.58.19990901193136.00c4f360@localhost> In-Reply-To: <19990901185228.A9481@quark.feynman.com> References: <4.2.0.58.19990901152642.047b0250@localhost> <804.936177954@localhost> <4.2.0.58.19990901152642.047b0250@localhost>
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At 06:52 PM 9/1/99 -0500, Frank Pawlak wrote: >> Now, it doesn't take a mathematician to realize that, in David's model, the > > GAP between the sizes of the user bases also grows by a factor of g every > > year. In fact, the larger g is, the more Linux pulls ahead. Simple math. > > What's more, if you assume that the total number of users of ALL OSes is > > increasing at a uniform rate, FreeBSD's market share MUST decline relative > > to that of Linux. Why? Because, having fewer users, its market share > > is impacted more by the user bases of other OSes. > > > >Huh! Buy what convoluted piece of logic does the above play out? You can see the first point simply by drawing a graph. Start two exponential curves, one at the origin and another farther in. The size of the gap between the curves will increase exponentially. The second point is more subtle, but is easy to understand if you think about it in the following way. Let's suppose Linux and FreeBSD were the only two OSes in existence. If this were the case, and they followed the exponential curves that David posits, their market shares would remain constant. But there ARE other OSes, of course, so we must introduce them into the equation. What is the effect of doing this? Well, because FreeBSD has far fewer users than Linux, those other OSes cut into its market share more, on a percentage basis, than into the market share of Linux. (The disparity increases as Linux pulls farther ahead of FreeBSD.) So, FreeBSD can (and does!) see a decrease in market share even as Linux sees an increase. The OS Counter statistics are not perfect, but if anything they OVERestimate the penetration of the BSDs. Why? Because queso mis-identifies some other OSes as "BSD Family," and also because the survey was of RIPE addresses. (The BSDs have higher penetration in Europe than in the States, because the culture there is -- and always has been -- more receptive to alternative OSes.) Also, FreeBSD systems comprise only some of the systems identified as "BSD Family." When one considers all of these factors, it becomes clear that FreeBSD is *definitely* losing market share. This should be a matter of concern to FreeBSD users. Fortunately, I believe that the trend can be reversed. > > No, Jordan, I do not "slam" FreeBSD or BSD UNIX in general, and you should > > not attempt to discredit me by making this false claim. I do carefully critique > > the way in which BSD UNIX in general is being marketed, promoted, and evangelized. > > > >Critique indeed! Brett, I am beginning to lose respect for someone that used >to fight the good fight for BSD. Disagreement is not justification for a loss of respect. (I respect many people with whom I disagree.) On the other hand, if I ever fail to adhere to principle in the face of opposition, you are by all means entitled to lose respect for me. >Your motives are at time questionable -- tongue firmly planted in cheek. Which begs the obvious question: What do you believe my motives are? --Brett Glass To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-chat" in the body of the message
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