Trends in Linux on PlayStation 3 - decreasing, strong in Norway

 As with any other novel technology, one can observe the curve of early adopters as well as the early and late majority (Diffusion of innovation, Rogers, 1962). PlayStation 3 came to the market in November 2006. I decided to compare the accumulation of "ps3 linux" in search traffic since that time (using Google Trends).

PlayStation3

As we can see, search for PS3 is growing since the first rumours about PS3 in the middle of 2005, culminating later in November 2006 when it became available and then again during Christmas seasons 2007 and 2008. The larger amount of people searching for ps3 in year 2008 than 2007 can be explained by numerous factors, the adoption of this technology by early majority being the most obvious.

Linux on PS3

What about linux being installed on PS3? Another Google Trends graph shows us that installing linux on PlayStation is not new idea at all and it enjoys steady attention (red line). However, the coming of PlayStation3 boosted and dominated this traffic. Linux entusiasts around the world started to experiment with Linux on this powerful machine. Eventhough this search traffic is beyong its peak, it is still searched for very often.

Interestingly, it is not United Kingdom where "linux ps3" is being searched for the most. It seems Scandinavians are interested in Linux on PS3 more than anyone else in the world. Again, Christmas time is fairly dominant, probably Linux fans who just got the console are trying to install their favorite operating system on it. Of course, it can be vice versa, too: PS3 might be the reason someone starts experimenting witl Linux.

See also:

• Linux on PS3 (Wikipedia)
• Linux on PS3 Guide (step by step ebook)