The GNU Operating System (via Mowser)

Welcome to the GNU Operating System — GNU is free software.

What is GNU?

The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete Unix-like operating system which is free software: the GNU system.

GNU's kernel wasn't finished, so GNU is used with the kernel Linux. The combination of GNU and Linux is the GNU/Linux operating system, now used by millions. (Sometimes this combination is incorrectly called Linux.)

There are many variants or “distributions” of GNU/Linux. We recommend the GNU/Linux distributions that are 100% free software; in other words, entirely freedom-respecting.

The name “GNU” is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not Unix”; it is pronounced g-noo, as one syllable with no vowel sound between the g and the n.

What is Free Software?

“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech”, not as in “free beer”.

Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:

The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

What is the Free Software Foundation?

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is the principal organizational sponsor of the GNU Project. The FSF receives very little funding from corporations or grant-making foundations but relies on support from individuals like you.

Please consider helping the FSF by becoming an associate member, buying manuals and gear or by donating money. If you use Free Software in your business, you can also consider corporate patronage or a deluxe distribution of GNU software as a way to support the FSF.

The GNU project supports the mission of the FSF to preserve, protect and promote the freedom to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer software, and to defend the rights of Free Software users. We support the freedoms of speech, press, and association on the Internet, the right to use encryption software for private communication, and the right to write software unimpeded by private monopolies. You can also learn more about these issues in the book Free Software, Free Society.

The FSF also has sister organizations in Europe, Latin America and India.

A monthly update on GNU and the Free Software Foundation

More information

What we provide Why we exist Where we are going How you can help us get there Who we are What users think of GNU software Our project hosting server, savannah.gnu.org GNU mailing lists Other areas of the GNU web site: Software documentation, Graphics and art, Fun, ThankGNUs.

GNUs Flashes

Read and share these 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G with friends, family and coworkers. The iPhone's DRM prevents free software from being run on it at all, and gives Apple the authority to determine what can legally be installed by anyone on their own mobile computer.

Fight the Canadian DMCA!.

Take action on ACTA -- the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

For other news, as well as for items that used to be in this GNUs Flashes section, see What's New in and about the GNU Project.

Take Action

License drafting: Participate in the drafting of the GFDL and GSFDL. Add to the Free Software Directory. Worldwide: Sign the Doom community's petition to free the source code to the games Heretic and Hexen. Priority projects: Contribute to these projects we are emphasizing: Free software 3D video drivers, Free BIOS, Gnash (GNU Flash Player), DotGNU (free software replacement for .NET), GNU PDF, Xiph.org and free Internet protocols, reversible debugging for GDB. US citizens: Sign EFF's petition in favor of music sharing. US citizens: Support Public Knowledge against the "broadcast flag" Worldwide: Call on WIPO to change its name and mission. Worldwide: Raise awareness of dangers of WIPO Broadcast Treaty. Fight against software patents: in the USA, in Europe. US citizens: Sign petitions against software patents and the DMCA. Long-term contribution: Take over an unmaintained GNU package: dotgnu-forum, ffp, gnuprologjava, gnutrition, gtkeyboard, maverik, speedx, vmslib, xmorph. Long-term contribution: Please contribute as a user and developer to GNUstep, a free object-oriented framework for application development. Long-term contribution: Help us translate the gnu.org essays into your native language or become a coordinator of a www.gnu.org translation team.

Other Action Items