Guidance for the Linux Counter

Remember when entering data: The main function of the Linux Counter is statistics, not individuals.

Therefore, I beg you to try to fill in fields in as standardized a fashion as possible. If possible, use a value from the lists below. If this is not possible, please drop me a line saying what you entered, and what it actually means. My mailbox is always open!

Values for country

Countries are identified by two-letter ISO 3166 codes. This makes it MUCH easier to avoid spelling mistakes. The top level domain of your country will most often be the ISO 3166 code - with the exception of the UK, which has the code GB.

Values for distribution

Values for source

The intention of this field is to get an idea of where people get Linux from. It is your first installation on this machine I am asking for; the summary routines don't support multiple values, so don't attempt it.

The format is "type of source"/"details about source". The report gives both distribution by type/detail and by main type; the former list gets VERY long if people don't show some restraint in what they enter!

If you have information about what some of these things actually are, like several names for the same thing, PLEASE drop me a message!

Values for state

The main reason to have states is to break up the long listings of people in the people lists into more manageable portions. This means that for countries smaller than (say) 20 million, there is little purpose served by the state, since most people will know where people live just by looking at their city.
Currently, only the US, Australia, Canada, Germany and Great Britain have states now; I may add others later. If you want your country to have states, send me a list of them!
If in doubt, leave blank.