Is Google Trends a replacement for research?

Definitely not. I don't know whether Steven's article should be read as ironic, but it is filled with false or semi-true conclusions. Among them I found one especially funny:

Russia, however, is the country that has the most interest in Linux. It's followed by India -- out-sourcing anyone? -- and the Czech Republic. [..]

Steven, KDE is a Czech word "where" or so, you know? :) A few folks even remember this is mentioned in a KDE's Tip of the Day...

That said, we may be proud of "KDE" being mentioned in the national anthem of the Czech Republic:

    Kde domov můj, kde domov můj?
    Voda hu