Richard Stallman announced in September 1983 the plan to develop a free software Unix-like operating system called GNU. GNU is the only operating system developed specifically for the sake of users' freedom.
- Shame on Massachusetts for censoring the Internet
- Can you help us modify NoScript so it can detect and block nontrivial nonfree JavaScript code?
- Students! Claim a refund on your unused Microsoft Windows licences
- Support the efforts on net neutrality in Europe, in the USA and in Canada.
What is GNU?
The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop the GNU operating system, a complete Unix-like operating system which is free software—software which respects your freedom.
Unix-like operating systems are built from a software collection of applications, libraries, and developer tools—plus a program to allocate resources and talk to the hardware, known as a kernel.
GNU is often used with a kernel called Linux, and here is a list of ready-to-install GNU/Linux distributions which are entirely free software. The Hurd, GNU's kernel, is actively developed, but is still some way from being ready for daily use.
The combination of GNU and Linux is the GNU/Linux operating system, now used by millions and sometimes incorrectly called simply “Linux”.
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.
GNUs Flashes
New Education Section: gnu.org/education has been completely restructured and enriched with new pages. It presents cases of schools who have successfully migrated to free software, with an emphasis on their philosophical and political motivations... more
GnuTLS 2.12.9: GnuTLS v2.12.9 was released, a bug-fix release in the previous stable branch. The release announcement can be found at... more
GnuTLS 3.0.1: GnuTLS v3.0.1 was released, release that fixes bugs and adds features to the current stable branch. The release announcement can be found at: http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.encryption.gpg.gnutls.devel/5280... more
For more news, see Planet GNU.
GNU Guile
GNU Guile is the official extension language for the GNU Operating System. Version 2.0 was released February 16, 2011 with a wealth of new features. Its compiler infrastructure, libraries, and dynamic programming environment make it a great language to write applications in. Join the community now!
GNUstep
GNUstep is a fully-functional object-oriented development environment. We need developers to write and port applications to GNUstep so that we can make it a great experience for users.
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.
Take Action
- Support current FSF campaigns.
- Watch and share this movie: Patent Absurdity—made possible by FSF associate members like you.
- Fight against software patents: worldwide, and Europe.
- Call on WIPO to change its name and mission.
- Add to the Free Software Directory.
- More action items.
Can you contribute to any of these High Priority Projects? Gnash, coreboot, free distributions of GNU/Linux, GNU Octave, drivers for network routers, reversible debugging in GDB, automatic transcription, PowerVR drivers, and also free software replacements for Skype, OpenDWG libraries, and Oracle Forms.
Can you help take over an unmaintained GNU package? alive, dotgnu-forum, dr-geo, ggradebook, gift, gleem, gnu-queue, goldwater, halifax, maverik, orgadoc, pgccfd, polyxmass, quickthreads, snakecharmer, sxml, trueprint are all looking for maintainers. More information.