Links to Other Free Software Sites
To help promote knowledge of free software that isn't GNU software distributed by the FSF, we have collected the following links to other web sites that contain free software, or is directly related to the issue of free software.
We do not have links to web sites of the well-known GNU/Linux system distributions, or to the well-known BSD system distributions, because all those sites explicitly describe, and facilitate access to, various non-free programs. We would be glad to know of other Free Software web sites that we could link to here.
The FSF is not responsible for the content of other web sites, or how up-to-date their content is.
Free GNU/Linux distributions
These are the GNU/Linux distributions we know of which only include and only propose free software. They reject non-free applications, non-free programming platforms, non-free drivers, or non-free firmware “blobs”. If by mistake they do include any, they remove it. To learn more about what makes for a free GNU/Linux distribution, see our Guidelines for Free System Distributions.
If you know of a distribution that may qualify but isn't listed here, please ask the distribution's maintainers if they want to follow these free software principles. If they do, and they would like their distribution to be listed here, they should write to <gnu@gnu.org>. Some distributions are making efforts to move toward a completely free system. We thank them for their on-going work to achieve that goal, and hope to list them here some day.
All of the distributions that follow are installable to a computer hard drive and most can be run live. They are listed in no particular order.
Other free operating systems
We would especially like to know of other free operating systems that have a policy not to include, or recommend, non-free software. Developers of such operating systems that wish us to be aware of their system should contact <gnu@gnu.org>. These systems also follow our Guidelines for Free System Distributions.
Collections of free software
Free software documentation
The documentation at these sites may be older than the latest versions distributed by GNU.
Unofficial GNU sites
Free knowledge & free culture
Organizations related to free software
Sites about the use and development of free software
Companies that support free software development, and exclusively free software development
Organizations that work for freedom in computer development and electronic communications
The OpenCores project exists to further the aims of the Open IP Core definition, which has the following tenets: information on using the hardware must be available; the design of the hardware must be available; design software for hardware must be available.
chillingeffects.orgChilling Effects is a collection point for cease and desist notices concerning online activity — we invite visitors to enter C&Ds they have received or sent. The website collects the C&Ds in a searchable database and hyperlinks them to explanations of the legal issues.
The League for Programming FreedomThe League for Programming Freedom is an organization that opposes software patents and user interface copyrights.
Free Protocols FoundationThe Free Protocols Foundation (FPF) is an independent public forum, dedicated to the support of patent-free protocols.
Electronic Frontier FoundationEFF, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization working in the public interest to protect fundamental civil liberties, including privacy and freedom of expression, in the arena of computers and the Internet.
Electronic Privacy Information CenterEPIC is a public interest research center in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1994 to focus public attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, the First Amendment, and constitutional values.
Computer Professionals for Social ResponsibilityCPSR is a public-interest alliance of computer scientists and others concerned about the impact of computer technology on society. We work to influence decisions regarding the development and use of computers because those decisions have far-reaching consequences and reflect our basic values and priorities.
American Civil Liberties UnionThe American Civil Liberties Union is the nation's foremost advocate of individual rights — litigating, legislating, and educating the public on a broad array of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States.
Global Internet LibertyCampaignThe GILC comprises of members from American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, Human Rights Watch, the Internet Society, Privacy International, the Association des Utilisateurs d'Internet, and other civil liberties and human rights organizations. They advocate the prohibition of censorship of on-line communication, and insist that on-line free expression should not be restricted by indirect means such as excessively restrictive governmental or private controls over computer hardware or software, telecommunications infrastructure, or other essential components of the Internet.
P2P UnitedThis site fights legislation to ban peer to peer software.
Electronic Frontiers AustraliaElectronic Frontiers Australia Inc. (EFA) is a non-profit national organisation representing Internet users concerned with on-line freedoms and rights.
Hosting
These sites provide hosting for free software packages, focused on source code. (We don't list other well-known hosting sites since they have advertisements or other encouragement for proprietary software. As usual, contact us at <webmasters@gnu.org> if you have suggestions to add to the list.)
In contrast, these sites offers general hosting for domains, including email and web support, with an emphasis on the libre philosophy. (They are not directly focused on software development.)
News about free software
These sites offer updated news about free software and (in some cases) GNU software.
