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?
- UK citizens: help repeal the Digital Economy Act
- 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 a complete Unix-like operating system which is free software—software which respects your freedom.
Unix-like operating systems are built from a collection of applications, libraries, and developer tools—plus a program to allocate resources and talk to the hardware, known as a kernel.
The Hurd, GNU's kernel, is actively developed, but is still some way from being ready for daily use, so GNU is often used with a kernel called Linux.
GNUs Flashes
Interested in free video formats? We need your help! The FSF is looking for a few volunteers willing to commit an average of a few hours per week as reliable technical consultants helping people transcode their videos to free formats like WebM and Ogg Theora.
The June issue of the Free Software Supporter is out -- you can read it and subscribe to receive future monthly issues by e-mail.
GNU urges people working on free software to follow standards and guidelines for universal accessibility on GNU/Linux and other free operating systems with the release of the GNU Accessibility Statement.
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.
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.
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.
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? GNU PDF, Gnash, coreboot, free distributions of GNU/Linux, GNU Octave, drivers for network routers, and reversible debugging in GDB, and also free software replacements for Skype, OpenDWG libraries, RARv3 and Oracle Forms.
Can you help take over an unmaintained GNU package? alive, dr-geo, fontutils, gift, gleem, goldwater, halifax, pgccfd, polyxmass, quickthreads, sather, and snakecharmer are all looking for maintainers. More information.