Datapoint

Using BT Trax we are able to see how the consumption of resources in our IT directory trend over time.  Below is a chart showing how the major operating systems stack up over the last 12 months.

While consumption of Microsoft Windows-related content clearly dominates, Linux and UNIX also have substantial traction, while Apple Mac OS and Sun Solaris have a comparatively modest showing for the period. The effects of seasonality have a global affect on consumption on all content and that effect is visible with the downward adjustments at the end of 2004, during mid-year when summer gets underway, and presently.  During September '05 we see consumption peak for Windows, Linux, and UNIX-related resources as IT professionals get back to business after their summer breaks. The most downloaded resources that month were; Migrating from Windows NT Server? Why SUSE Linux is the Most Compelling Solution (Windows/Linux/UNIX) and Why Choose Novell for Linux? (Linux/UNIX).  In the case of Windows we also see a major peak in the first week of March '05.  The promoted title responsible for that was a Sony Webcast, Going Wireless with Windows XP which actually accounted for nearly all the directory activity around Windows for that week.  We also see an up tick in consumption of Linux-related resources in February '05, with Scalix making some buzz with its white paper, Linux and Email Infrastructure: Freedom and Choice. 

Knowing these consumption trends can give you insight into what your peers are looking at and when, which we hope is helpful in your IT planning.