openSUSE 12.2 - 94,460 Downloads First 24

The exact number of Linux users has always been an illusive answer. Everybody wants to know, several have tried, but no one really knows how many people use Linux. But openSUSE knows how many people downloaded their 12.2 images in the first 24 hours after release.

openSUSE usually sits around the fifth position in Distrowatch's Page Hit Ranking list getting around 1500 hits per day and it is occasionally included in Top Five lists. Last popularity poll I ran it came in tied for second.

Today Jos Poortvliet shared the download number from the last release to add fuel to the discussion. The installation DVD was by far the most popular format with 46% of that being 64-bit. It was downloaded almost 39,000 times within the first 24 hours. When you add all the live, net, and add-on images, openSUSE was downloaded a total of 94,460 times its first day. Poortvliet points out that doesn't include upgraders and Weedtumblers.

Read the full post as Poortvliet quoted positive reviews, answered some criticisms, and listed a few thoughts on improvements too.