Desktop Linux is difficult to define exactly, but the idea has merits. Something that's not proprietary, and that's not incredibly closed / locked / controlled by a monopolist like Android or Chrome OS.

> maybe this is why people are so excited about these pointless numbers.

I'd be excited by numbers showing an increase free software use, including the OS, first and foremost.

For what I personally care, I'd be happy to drop the Linux kernel requirement and extend the scope to Desktop BSDs and other open source desktop OS as well. People being trapped in closed OSes that happen to be based on a Linux kernel is of limited comfort anyway, actually.