,
According to the Ubuntu & Debian Popularity Contest Project, I discovered an interesting statistic. According the data collected, OpenShot has the highest percentage of users, when compared to the number of installations. In other words, people who install OpenShot are more likely to actually use OpenShot, than people who install other open-source video editors.
Simple formula: Number of people who use the app regularly / Number of people who have installed the app.
So, now the big question: what does this actually mean? Why does OpenShot score so much higher than other video editors? Perhaps it is because OpenShot is more usable or more intuitive? Maybe it is because OpenShot is more stable? Or possibly that OpenShot is less intimidating?
While it is difficult to say exactly why users are more likely to use OpenShot than other open-source video editors, it seems to be a positive result, and supports the direction we continue to move the project in.
I believe this data supports what other polls have already suggested: OpenShot is the best Linux video editor available today. Of course, I think the main reason OpenShot has become so popular is because we are very much connected to our users. Between E-mail, Facebook, LaunchPad, and this blog, I am constantly getting great suggestions, support, bug reports, and new ideas that make OpenShot the great app it has become. So, a big thank you to everyone for helping me!
How do you interpret these statistics? Do you agree or disagree with my analysis?
October 15, 2010 4:37 PM
Woo! good work! keep it up!
(I adore openshot because of it's simplicity and it's support of alpha and SVG's)
October 15, 2010 5:55 PM
Thank you!! Your efforts have made video editing very effective for linux users, your efforts are making a serious difference! =)
October 16, 2010 1:02 AM
Well, it doesn't surprise me that OpenShot is widely used. You've put together a fantastic, easy-to-use application that will cover most average people's video editing wants (it's no blender).
On the other hand, at least some part of those figures may be representative of a 'new kid on the block' effect. It will be interesting to see if this level of enthusiasm is maintainable.
Kinda surprised that Kdenlive scored as low as it did, too.
October 16, 2010 11:03 AM
Wow openshot has come a long way since the last time I tried it. Just playing with it a little this morning and I have to say I'm impressed.
Time to donate!
October 16, 2010 2:03 PM
OpenShot indeed is by far the most intuitive interface for a video-editor. But the tests compare download numbers to for example Kino had no need to get updated a lot lately, so few downloads only. Maybe limited in menu choices and an unusual interface, Kino has functionality you don't find anywhere else. You can't call either the best here.
The best Linux video-editor can't be called if it is just Ubuntu and Debian. My openSUSE with KDE4 def is Linux, but OpenShot crashes on some filters used. Using the same machine for a Debian Livedisk solves that problem but the speed is down to 4 processor generations ago. Without any of the usual programmes available.
KDEnlive with it's difficult interface functions as a dream on my hosts. Kino overcame the initial problems I had with it long ago.
I really do like OpenShot, and use it as much as I can, but I disagree with the conclusion that it is the best Linux video editor.
October 16, 2010 8:56 PM
No dispute. Absolutely true. No other program has the workflow of OpenShot. If someone needs to edit a video on Linux, I suggest OpenShot. I've done a lot of video editing and was terrified at Kino, Avidemux, PiTiVi (and its lack of features) and so on. Wish OpenShot was a bit more feature rich, closer to Final Cut Pro, but baby steps is better than Kino.
Thank you for OpenShot!
October 16, 2010 8:58 PM
Also, I hope the Ubuntu developers are listening. PiTiVi shipped with Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx and 10.10 Maverick Meerkat, and clearly users would prefer OpenShot, no? I think so.
October 16, 2010 9:40 PM
I will post an in-depth rebuttal (too long for a comment here). You probably won't like it though.
October 16, 2010 10:18 PM
@Brett,
I agree with you that the Ubuntu developers need to continue to evaluate OpenShot each release cycle. However, the fact that OpenShot does not use Gstreamer hurts our chances of being included by default. But at the least, OpenShot should be included in the "Featured Applications" section of the software center. I am working on that at the moment. =)
October 16, 2010 10:22 PM
@Anonymous,
I would love to hear your analysis of these same statistics. This data is hardly "representative" of all Linux users, but it's the best we have. What I found most interesting was the fact that 2 different distros (Debian & Ubuntu) both supported my conclusion.
October 17, 2010 4:27 PM
As promised, here's the alternative analysis of your statistics:
http://jeff.ecchi.ca/blog/2010/10/17/video-editors-usage-statistics-duty-calls/
I don't want to start some sort of flamewar (so that's why I took my time to write it), I just don't like seeing statistics misinterpreted.
October 17, 2010 6:32 PM
@Jonathan Thomas:
I think this is Anonymous' rebutal
http://jeff.ecchi.ca/blog/2010/10/17/video-editors-usage-statistics-duty-calls/
October 17, 2010 8:41 PM
@Anonymous,
Thanks for your alternate analysis. You had some very interesting points, but my favorite was the funny Python example:
>>> pitivi = len("pitivi")
>>> openshot = len("openshot")
>>> if openshot > pitivi: print "OpenShot is greater than PiTiVi"
October 17, 2010 8:46 PM
Without more information it is very hard to conclude anything meaningful from the popcon raw data. All I noticed was an interesting trend that is supported by 2 different data sources.
This is where a market research firm could probably jump in, and do a real scientific study, but that is a bit out of my budget. =)
My analysis is not any more correct than the anonymous rebuttal. Without more information, it's just guesses. So, everyone will just have to come to their own conclusion about this data. Still, it's very interesting.
October 18, 2010 2:41 AM
This article is all but serious, come on ! I really like anonymous'answer : very relevant
October 18, 2010 8:52 AM
This very nice job, it has come for me to use Linux up to 90%, I hope other companies that produce hard-drives could support Linux, I'm going to start teach OpenShot video to people.
October 21, 2010 3:11 AM
waouh openshot best of the world .. continue this is the best project of the world ..
awesome awesome ....
October 22, 2010 7:09 AM
I think you should only compare "recent" use from each program. OpenShot will obviously get higher used/installed number because it has not been available as long as some other editors. In addition, some editors come installed by default.
You can try to generate a controlled bias towards newer software. This would make some sense because newer software cannot be used as many people purely because of not enough many people have yet seen the newer software. They are still using (usually) the only video editor they already know. Perhaps something along the lines "recent use of installed editor"/"number of days since the first stable version of that editor was first available via package manager". That would provide a ballpark figure about the number of new users per day the software has had.
Notice that this still wouldn't be entirely fair because the more users a software has, the more people will hear about the software from existing users. I guess, that a reasonable fix would be to compute the "days since initial stable release" in power [something between 1 and 2].
October 23, 2010 2:59 PM This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
October 23, 2010 3:25 PM
OpenShot is amazing! I have the proof, here is my first youtube video made in one day. I also provided a better quality version link:
YouTube Version: The Independents-Little White Feathers (Pretty Baby Version With Brook Shields)
Quality Version: The Independents-Little White Feathers (Pretty Baby Version With Brook Shields)
I chose OpenShot over Avidemux, GOPChop, Kino, Lives, Open Movie Editor, Pitivi, and Project X, because they either were: non-intuitive, lacked basic features or crashed. OpenShot on the other hand is easy to use and has the basic features neccessary to make great quality videos.
I'm impressed. Great job developers. Keep the features comming! May I suggest an graphical representation of audio on the tracks? We would be able to synch audio with video better.
October 24, 2010 3:24 AM
Thanks for your efforts!!! I seriously admire OpenShot. If openshot didn't exist, I would have to go with Kdenlive... (personally, I dislike the KDE interface). Could you please add more effects and such so that it can come sooo very close to kdenlive??? Again, Thanks a lot.
October 31, 2010 9:15 PM
Please make a 64 bit installer too...
November 2, 2010 4:25 AM
awaesome awesome
perfect program ...
best best best ...
better than final cut, smoke, premiere and all other ..
awesome awesome
November 2, 2010 4:44 AM
As a Debian user I installed just about every video editor possible. All I wanted to do was make a video for youtube. After a lot of trial and error, I'm really not surprised by these statistics.
November 10, 2010 8:19 AM
No Surprise to me. I love OpenShot. I've been following the project for well over a year now and it surprises me with every new release. It is feature rich and easy to use. I tout the project every chance I get. You guys are doing a fantastic job.
By the way, I know that voters said they would like a "create DVD" feature and you thought "slideshow" would win out. I hope to see both in coming releases. Maybe some integration with an existing slideshow maker. i.e. imagination, smile, etc.
Thanks for all the effort. Hate to see windows users get my prized software though.