Interesting low numbers for ubuntu.com on Alexa

[altonbr]

Not sure how reliable Alexa is for stats, but it's interesting to see that the three main Linux distrobutions have had lowered hits at the exact same time:

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/ubuntu.com
http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/opensuse.org
http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/fedoraproject.com

What do you think is happening?

I heard that Alexa only gathers their stats via spyware, so that would count for the lower Linux statistics vs. Microsoft.com and Apple.com (Windows users use Apple products too).

[kernelhaxor]

Alexa gathers stats via the Alexa toolbar which can be installed on IE or Firefox .. So it gathers data only off people who have that toolbar installed .. I wud say though its not very accurate, Alexa still gives a correct approximate picture about the traffic ..

Not sure what explains the downward trend ..

[hardyn]

the possibility that we are on the verge of a new release and people are just waiting for intrepid to hit?

for how long and the downturn been occuring?

[jespdj]

What do you think is happening?

I heard that Alexa only gathers their stats via spyware, so that would count for the lower Linux statistics vs. Microsoft.com and Apple.com (Windows users use Apple products too).
You have just answered your own question.

[altonbr]

Alexa gathers stats via the Alexa toolbar which can be installed on IE or Firefox .. So it gathers data only off people who have that toolbar installed .. I wud say though its not very accurate, Alexa still gives a correct approximate picture about the traffic ..

Not sure what explains the downward trend ..

That's what I thought. Does it really project an accurate depiction though? I've never heard of anyone willingly install it.


the possibility that we are on the verge of a new release and people are just waiting for intrepid to hit?

for how long and the downturn been occuring?

Check the links. It has been happening since June 2008, but its the lowest its been for three releases :S


You have just answered your own question.

Well I wasn't sure if that was true or not.

[Dr Small]

And who actually visits Ubuntu.com when there isn't a new release?

[ooobuntooo]

Alexa gathers stats via the Alexa toolbar which can be installed on IE or Firefox .. So it gathers data only off people who have that toolbar installed .. I wud say though its not very accurate, Alexa still gives a correct approximate picture about the traffic ..

Not sure what explains the downward trend ..

lol how many people have the toolbar!?

[altonbr]

Well the good ol' Wikipedia article explains everything:


On April 16, 2008 many users reported dramatic shifts in their Alexa rankings. Alexa confirmed this later in the day with an announcement that they had released the "New Alexa Ranking System" claiming that they now take into account more data sources.[16]


Spyware

The Alexa toolbar is regarded by many vendors as spyware. Symantec classifies the toolbar as Trackware.[17] McAfee Site Advisor rates the Alexa website as yellow with a warning, "In our tests, we found downloads on this site that some people consider adware, spyware or other potentially unwanted programs," and the site has 67 user ratings of "Adware, spyware, or viruses" as of July 2, 2008. The toolbar is detected by McAfee as Adware-Alexa, a "Potentially Unwanted Program."[18][19] Many other security vendors also detect and remove Alexa software.

Nothing to worry about folks! I'll just stick with Google Trends for now!

http://www.google.com/trends?q=ubuntu%2C+opensuse%2C+fedora