I was going through my Apache log files and realized the truly obvious.
I was showing up as a Linux user because I was browsing using Netscape
for Linux under emulation--I had neglected to go back to the native
FreeBSD version after doing some browser performance comparisons.
A few questions came to mind...
If we use Netscape for Linux under emulation, aren't we contributing to
the headcount of Linux users on various websites we visit rather than
contributing to the headcount of FreeBSD users?
Isn't artificially inflating the number of Linux users while
artificially deflating the number of FreeBSD users bad for the FreeBSD
community?
Also, what is the purpose of having a Linux version of Netscape in ports
when we have the same version of Netscape available as a native FreeBSD
version? Isn't a better approach to regularly contact Netscape until
they improve the native FreeBSD version?
Why don't we ask Netscape to release a native FreeBSD version of
Netscape 6 preview? And while we're at it, lets ask them to have
FreeBSD on the list of over a dozen operating systems we have to select
from on their feedback form.
http://home.netscape.com/support/index.html
If the FreeBSD version of Netscape 6 is buggier than the Linux version
because it didn't get tested by us, we'll probably end up using Netscape
for Linux under emulation. Yes, FreeBSD advocacy can be a pain and we
all have busy schedules, but if we don't take 5-10 minutes a day to
actively advocate FreeBSD, who will?
I've nothing against using Linux emulation for things like games but the
browser seems to be an important case because it is used by many
websites to keep track of user profiles including operating system
usage.