# Aurora

> operating system for netbooks based on EeeUbuntu

**Wikidata**: [Q1056796](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1056796)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_OS_(Eeebuntu))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aurora-q1056796

## Summary
Aurora is a Linux distribution specifically designed for netbooks, built upon the foundation of EeeUbuntu. It operates as a free software project licensed under the GNU General Public License and is part of the broader Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. The project is distinct from "Aurora OS" and was historically associated with the Eeebuntu brand.

## Key Facts
*   **Definition:** Aurora is an operating system for netbooks based on EeeUbuntu.
*   **Classification:** It is a Linux distribution and a member of the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems.
*   **License:** The software is released under the GNU General Public License.
*   **Latest Version:** Version 4.0 beta 1 was released on February 7, 2010.
*   **Aliases:** The project is also known as Eeebuntu, EeeUbuntu, and Eebuntu.
*   **Platform:** It is designed for the netbook platform.
*   **Website:** The official project website is http://www.eeebuntu.org/.
*   **Source Code Repository:** The project is hosted on SourceForge under the project name "eeebuntu".
*   **Differentiation:** It is explicitly different from "Aurora OS".
*   **Series:** It is part of the Linux series.
*   **GUI Frameworks:** The interface utilizes toolkits identified as  and .
*   **Wikipedia Title:** The primary English Wikipedia article is titled "Aurora OS (Eeebuntu)".
*   **Wikipedia Languages:** Content exists in Bengali, English, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Chinese, and on Wikimedia Commons.
*   **Freebase ID:** The entity is identified as /m/05zv4t5.
*   **Distrowatch ID:** Listed as "auroraos" and "aurora".
*   **Copyright Status:** The work is copyrighted.
*   **Commons Category:** Files are categorized under "Ubuntu (operating system)".
*   **Inception Context:** The broader Linux family it belongs to was initiated on September 17, 1991.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of the Aurora operating system?**
Aurora was developed specifically to serve as an operating system for netbooks, leveraging the EeeUbuntu base to optimize performance on smaller hardware. It functions as a Linux distribution tailored for this specific form factor.

**Which software license governs the use and distribution of Aurora?**
The project is distributed under the GNU General Public License, ensuring it remains free software. This licensing aligns with the broader principles of the Linux ecosystem and the GNU components it utilizes.

**How does Aurora differ from other similarly named operating systems?**
Aurora is distinct from "Aurora OS," a separate entity with which it should not be confused. While it shares the "Aurora" name in some contexts, its technical lineage is strictly tied to EeeUbuntu and the Linux distribution family.

**What versions of Aurora were officially released?**
The documented release history includes version 4.0 beta 1, which became available on February 7, 2010. This specific version represents a significant milestone in the project's development timeline.

**In which languages is information about Aurora available?**
Documentation and community resources for the project are available in multiple languages, including Bengali, English, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, and Chinese. Additionally, media and files are hosted on Wikimedia Commons.

## Why It Matters
Aurora represents a specialized adaptation of the Linux ecosystem for the netbook market, a segment that was crucial in the late 2000s for making computing accessible on portable, low-power devices. By building on EeeUbuntu, it provided a refined user experience for netbook hardware, demonstrating how open-source distributions could be tailored for specific form factors. Its existence highlights the diversity within the Linux family, showing how community-driven projects can address niche hardware requirements that mainstream operating systems might overlook. The project's adherence to the GNU General Public License further reinforces the importance of free software principles in enabling user freedom and collaborative development.

## Notable For
*   **Netbook Specialization:** It was explicitly engineered for netbook hardware, distinguishing it from general-purpose desktop Linux distributions.
*   **EeeUbuntu Lineage:** The system is directly derived from EeeUbuntu, carrying forward its specific optimizations and design philosophy.
*   **Version Milestone:** It achieved a specific release milestone with version 4.0 beta 1 in early 2010.
*   **Open Source Compliance:** It strictly adheres to the GNU General Public License, ensuring full access to source code and modification rights.
*   **Multi-Language Support:** The project maintained a presence across seven different language communities on Wikipedia and related platforms.
*   **Distinct Identity:** It successfully maintained a separate identity from "Aurora OS" despite the naming similarity.
*   **Community Hosting:** The project utilized SourceForge for its code repository, a standard practice for open-source projects of its era.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
Aurora is defined as an operating system for netbooks based on EeeUbuntu. It falls under the class of Linux distributions, which are operating systems based on the Linux kernel and often core GNU components. As part of the Linux family, it inherits the characteristics of Unix-like operating systems. The Linux family itself has an inception date of September 17, 1991. Aurora is explicitly categorized as different from "Aurora OS," ensuring clarity in its classification. It is also part of the broader Linux series.

### Licensing and Legal Status
The software is released under the GNU General Public License, a series of free software licenses that guarantee users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. This licensing model is consistent with the broader Linux ecosystem. The copyright status of the project is copyrighted, indicating legal protection for the specific code and assets while maintaining the freedoms granted by the GPL.

### Technical Specifications and Versions
The project reached a notable development stage with the release of version 4.0 beta 1 on February 7, 2010. This version is documented with references to forum discussions and archived web pages. The operating system utilizes specific GUI toolkits and frameworks, identified by the values  and . These frameworks provide the graphical interface necessary for user interaction on netbook hardware. The platform is specifically designed for netbooks, optimizing the user experience for this class of device.

### Project Infrastructure and Online Presence
The project maintains an official website at http://www.eeebuntu.org/. Source code and project files are hosted on SourceForge under the project name "eeebuntu". For identification in knowledge graphs, the project holds a Freebase ID of /m/05zv4t5. On Distrowatch, it is listed under the IDs "auroraos" and "aurora". Media and images related to the project are categorized on Wikimedia Commons under "Ubuntu (operating system)".

### Naming and Aliases
The entity is known by several aliases, including Eeebuntu, EeeUbuntu, and Eebuntu. These names reflect its evolution and its close relationship with the EeeUbuntu project. The primary Wikipedia title for the entity is "Aurora OS (Eeebuntu)". This naming convention helps users locate information across different language editions.

### Community and Language Support
The project has a presence in multiple languages, with Wikipedia articles available in Bengali, English, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, and Chinese. This multi-language support indicates a diverse user base and community effort. The project also has a sitelink count of 7, reflecting its interconnectedness with other knowledge bases. The visual identity of the project includes a logo and an image, both hosted on Wikimedia Commons, which serve as the primary visual representations of the operating system.

## References

1. [Source](http://forums.eeebuntu.org/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5056)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013