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<p class="netscape4">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.</p>
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<h2>What is GNU?</h2>
<p>GNU is a Unix-like operating system that
is <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">free software</a>—it
respects your freedom. You can install
<a href="/distros/free-distros.html">
versions of GNU</a> (more precisely, GNU/Linux systems) which are
entirely free software. <a href="/provide.html">What we provide</a>.</p>
<p class="c"><a href="/distros/screenshot.html"><img
src="/graphics/t-desktop-4-small.jpg" alt="Screenshot of GNU"
/></a></p>
<p>The <a href="/gnu/gnu.html">GNU Project</a> was launched in 1984 to
develop the GNU system. The name “GNU” is a recursive
acronym for “GNU's Not
Unix!”. <a href="/pronunciation/pronunciation.html">“GNU” is
pronounced <em>g'noo</em></a>, as one syllable, like saying "grew" but
replacing the <em>r</em> with <em>n</em>.</p>
<p>A Unix-like operating system is a <a href="/software/">software
collection</a> of applications, libraries, and developer tools, plus a
program to allocate resources and talk to the hardware, known as a
kernel.</p>
<p><a href="/software/hurd/hurd.html">The Hurd, GNU's own kernel</a>,
is some way from being ready for daily use. Thus, GNU is typically
used today with a kernel called Linux. This combination is
the <a href="/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html"><strong>GNU/Linux operating
system</strong></a>. GNU/Linux is used by millions, though
many <a href="/gnu/gnu-linux-faq.html">call it “Linux” by
mistake</a>.</p>
<h2>What is Free Software?</h2>
<p>“<a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">Free software</a>”
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”.</p>
<p><strong>Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run,
copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software.</strong> More
precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the
software:</p>
<ul>
<li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor
(freedom 2).</li>
<li>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.</li>
</ul>
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<p class="button c large"><a
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<h4 id="Flashes"><a href="http://planet.gnu.org/">Planet GNU</a> <a href="http://planet.gnu.org/rss20.xml"><img src="/feed-icon-10x10.png" alt="RSS Feed" /></a></h4>
<p><a href='http://multixden.blogspot.com/2014/05/projectcenter-build-parser-fixes.html'>
ProjectCenter build parser fixes</a>:
Debugging build tools...I was long plagued GNUstep's IDE ProjectCenter had problems with parsing the compiler's output. This made "clicking" on the warning or...
<a href='http://multixden.blogspot.com/2014/05/projectcenter-build-parser-fixes.html'>more</a></p>
<p><a href='http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/nominate-a-free-software-initiative-for-the-chris-nicol-floss-prize'>
Nominate a free software initiative for the Chris Nicol FLOSS Prize!</a>:
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) has established the Chris Nicol FLOSS Prize, which recognizes initiat...
<a href='http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/nominate-a-free-software-initiative-for-the-chris-nicol-floss-prize'>more</a></p>
<p><a href='http://gnuremotecontrol.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/newsletter-may-2014/'>
Newsletter – May 2014</a>:
THIS MONTH…..
-TRENDS
-EYE CATCHING
-ANNUAL PLAN
-DISCUSSIONS
-EXISTING CODE
-SECURITY
-LASTLY
-TRENDS
The stuff going on in the big picture now…..
United States Electr...
<a href='http://gnuremotecontrol.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/newsletter-may-2014/'>more</a></p>
<p>For more news, see <a href="http://planet.gnu.org/">Planet GNU</a>
and the list of <a href="/software/recent-releases.html">recent GNU
releases</a>.</p>
<h4 id="enscript">
<a href="/software/enscript/">Enscript</a></h4><p>
GNU Enscript is a program to convert ASCII text files to PostScript, HTML
or RTF formats, to be stored in files or sent immediately to a printer.
It also includes the capability to perform syntax highlighting for
several different programming languages.
<small>(<a href="/manual/manual.html#enscript">doc</a>)</small></p>
<p><small><a href="/manual/blurbs.html">Short descriptions for all GNU
packages.</a></small></p>
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<li>Support the efforts on net neutrality in Europe,
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and <a href="http://www.neutrality.ca" title="Net neutrality in
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<li><strong>Fight against software patents:</strong>
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<a href="/server/takeaction.html#swpat">and Europe</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Watch and share this movie:</strong> <a
href="http://patentabsurdity.com">Patent Absurdity</a>—made
possible by <a href="http://www.fsf.org/associate/">FSF associate
members</a> like <a href="http://fsf.org/jfb">you</a>.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/server/takeaction.html#wipochange">Call
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Claim a refund on your unused Microsoft Windows licences</a>.</li>
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<p><strong>Can you contribute to any of
these <a href="http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/priority-projects/">High
Priority Projects</a>?</strong> 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.</p>
<p id="unmaint"><strong>Can you take over an <a
href="/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">unmaintained GNU
package</a>?</strong>
<span class="gnun-split"></span>
<a href="/software/gleem/">gleem</a>,
<a href="/software/gnukart/">gnukart</a>,
<a href="/software/groff/">groff</a>,
<a href="/software/halifax/">halifax</a>,
<a href="/software/jwhois/">jwhois</a>,
<a href="/software/metahtml/">metahtml</a>,
<a href="/software/orgadoc/">orgadoc</a>,
<a href="/software/polyxmass/">polyxmass</a>,
<a href="/software/superopt/">superopt</a>,
<a href="/software/teximpatient/">teximpatient</a><span class="gnun-split"></span>,
are all <a href="/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">looking for
maintainers</a>. Also, these packages are looking for co-maintainers:
<span class="gnun-split"></span>
<a href="/software/aspell/">aspell</a>,
<a href="/software/gnuae/">gnuae</a>,
<a href="/software/metaexchange/">metaexchange</a>,
<a href="/software/powerguru/">powerguru</a><span class="gnun-split"></span>.
See the package web pages for more information.</p>
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<p>The <a href="http://www.fsf.org">Free Software Foundation</a> is
the principal organizational sponsor of the GNU Operating System.
<strong>Support GNU and the FSF</strong> by <a
href="http://shop.fsf.org/">buying manuals and gear</a>, <a
href="https://my.fsf.org/associate/support_freedom?referrer=4052">
<strong>joining the FSF</strong></a> as an associate member, or making
a <strong>donation</strong>, either <a
href="http://donate.fsf.org/">directly to the FSF</a> or <a
href="http://flattr.com/thing/313733/gnuproject-on-Flattr">via
Flattr</a>.</p>
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<p class="unprintable">Updated:
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