Introduction

The Ubuntu Popularity Contest (or popcon, in short) gathers statistics determining which packages are the most popular with Ubuntu users. Once a week, the popularity-contest package submits data to a central server (http://popcon.ubuntu.com/). The data are then processed anonymously to generate the statistics available on http://popcon.ubuntu.com/.

Popcon's statistics are of big importance to Ubuntu developers. They can use the data to determine which packages to include on the CDs, which bugs need to be fixed first, or to order the results of searches within package managers.

Participating in the Popularity Contest using Ubuntu Dapper

It is easy to participate in the popularity contest if you are using Ubuntu Dapper Drake 6.06 LTS, because it is already installed on your machine by default. This means that all you need to do is enable it.

1. Open a terminal (Applications > Accessories > Terminal)

2. type:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure popularity-contest 

1. You will probably be asked for a password. Enter your login password and press enter (note that when entering a password at the terminal, nothing appears on the screen to let you know that you are pressing keys - this does not mean that it isn't working!)
2. A window will appear called "Configuring popularity-contest". It explains what the Popularity Contest is and how it works. At the bottom it reads "Participate in the Ubuntu Popularity Contest?"
3. Use the arrow keys to select "Yes"
4. Press Enter.
5. The window reads: "If you do not want to use HTTP, email is used instead. Use HTTP to submit reports?"
6. Use the arrow keys to select "Yes"
7. Press Enter. You are now participating in the Popularity Contest.

Participating in the Popularity Contest using Ubuntu Edgy, Fiesty, Gutsy or Hardy

It is easy to participate in the popularity contest if you are using Ubuntu Edgy or higher, because it is already installed on your machine by default. This means that all you need to do is enable it.

1. Click System > Administration > Software Sources

2. Click on the "Statistics" tab

3. Tick the "Submit statistical information" checkbox

Most used packages

You can know the packages most used by you, with the following (requires several seconds):

popularity-contest | less

The packages are listed from the most recent used.

CategoryDocumentation