Debian Fastest-Growing Distro, Says Netcraft

Oskuro writes "According to this story at news.netcraft.com, Debian was the fastest growing distribution in the last 6 months, closely followed by SuSE and Gentoo. RedHat, while still reigning, has started to lose sites in Netcraft's survey after they announced the end of support for their desktop releases. The survey is based on the stats from webservers which include the distribution name in their webserver's header." Maybe it would grow even faster when Java issues are worked out -- read more below on that.

adamy writes "For people like me that use both Free/Open Source software and Java, the two have come together with two major exception: The Java Virtual Machine and the Base Libraries. Seems the folks trying to get Java packages ready for Sarge could have listed the issues. This is an interesting example of dependency tree pruning: Several packages are orphaned because they depend on Ant, which depends on Swing. Swing has been lower priority for the Classpath because most of the java pacakages are server side or lack a UI componenet."

Comments

I'm no Debian expert

[spun]

But I've used the distro more than once. I really like it: the package system is better than rpm IMO, it comes with tons more packags than most distros, and it's arguably more secure than RedHat. My only complaint is that it doesn't come with my favorite text editor, pico.

Fast-growing distributions

[dodgyville]

The only problem with Debian's fast-growing deployment is the recklessness of the scientists creating Debian.

I have become increasingly concerned with the blatant disregard of safety protocols of the people in charge.

When we started this project it was only to help people but now they've gone crazy. I'm typing this on the only computer in the building not being monitored. Almost 16 months ago, some army generals came to visit the project leader and since that time I've noticed some strange happenings.

Firstly, an entire level of the Debian building has now gone top security. Truckloads of materials enter but never leave.

Secondly, the project leader used to be this really nice person, but for about eight months she just hasn't been the same. She's lost her sense of humour and frankly, if I didn't know it was impossible, she's become like some sort of automaton.

And what has happened to the distro? I was doing some routine checks on the source but found some weird library call named "void launchInvasionFleetAugust2004". I immediately checked with the project leader but she went all angry and demanded me to ignore what I had seen. It was almost a threat. As I left, I heard her telling one of the generals that I was "harmless".

Now, finally, I can't keep quiet about the disappearances. My floor used to be a bustle of activity. But now there are only three or four of us left. I was told it was because of cut-backs, but we're a hobby project and no-one gets paid! When I said this, they announced that a lot of people had moved onto new projects, and that I was being paranoid.

I called the local newspaper and they sent out reporter, but now he's vanished too.

Then, earlier tonight, I walked out onto the factory floor where we make Debian. It was after dark, so I thought it would be empty, but the whole place was running at full speed. I picked up a Debian case and opened it. Inside was not a normal CD. It had some sort of growth on it, like tentacles or slime ... but, and I swear this is true, amongst the growth was a single eye.

I have to get the word out. The fast spreading of Debian is not what it seems... please, you've got to believe me!!!

There's someone at the door! I have to go before th

Re:Debian fastest growing, eh?

[pether]

Gentoo rocks, nowdays I only type in 'emerge cool_program' lights up a fat spliff and relax :)