# CAOS Linux

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q4035563](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4035563)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAOS_Linux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/caos-linux

## Summary
CAOS Linux was a Linux distribution designed as an operating system based on the Linux kernel and core GNU components. Also known as the Community Au-courant Operating System, it utilized the RPM Package Manager for software management. The project released its first stable version in February 2004 and was discontinued in November 2014.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Community Au-courant Operating System (CAOS Linux).
- **Classification:** Linux distribution (operating system).
- **Initial Release:** Alpha version released on December 1, 2003.
- **Stable Release:** Version 1.0 launched on February 18, 2004.
- **Discontinuation:** The project was discontinued in November 2014.
- **Package Management:** Utilized the RPM Package Manager.
- **Related Projects:** Identified as a derivative work related to the CentOS project.
- **Website:** Historically hosted at http://www.caoslinux.org/.
- **Communication:** Maintained an IRC channel at irc://irc.freenode.net/#cAos.

## FAQs
### Q: What does the acronym CAOS stand for?
A: CAOS stands for "Community Au-courant Operating System." It is a Linux distribution that is sometimes stylized as "cAos."

### Q: When was CAOS Linux first released?
A: The alpha version of CAOS Linux was published on December 1, 2003. The first stable version (1.0) was released shortly after on February 18, 2004.

### Q: Is CAOS Linux still active?
A: No, CAOS Linux is a discontinued project. The discontinuation date is recorded as November 2014.

## Why It Matters
CAOS Linux serves as a notable entry in the history of community-driven Linux distributions, particularly for its architectural choices and its connection to other significant open-source projects. By utilizing the RPM Package Manager—a system also used by major enterprise distributions like Red Hat—CAOS Linux provided a familiar environment for system administrators during its active years (2004–2014).

Its significance is further underscored by its relationship to CentOS. According to project records, CAOS Linux is linked to CentOS as a derivative work, highlighting the collaborative and often interconnected nature of the Linux ecosystem where code and concepts are shared among community distributions. While it did not achieve the massive scale of its contemporaries, its decade-long operation and its role in the broader network of RPM-based systems make it a relevant subject in the study of open-source software evolution.

## Notable For
- **Unique Naming:** Stands for "Community Au-courant Operating System," merging the concept of community with the idea of being "au courant" (up to date).
- **CentOS Connection:** Explicitly listed as a derivative work related to CentOS, linking it to one of the most popular Linux distributions in history.
- **RPM Architecture:** Distinguished by its use of the RPM Package Manager, aligning it with enterprise-standard Linux environments.
- **Longevity:** Maintained a presence in the Linux community for a decade, from its stable release in 2004 until its discontinuation in 2014.

## Body

### Overview and Identity
CAOS Linux is a Linux distribution classified as an instance of a computer operating system based on the Linux kernel. It is often referred to by its acronym "CAOS" or its full title, "Community Au-courant Operating System." The project was active in the early-to-mid 2000s, with its official website serving as the primary hub for English-speaking users.

### Version History
The development of CAOS Linux followed a standard software release lifecycle:
- **Alpha Phase:** An alpha version was officially published on December 1, 2003.
- **Stable Release:** The project achieved its stable release milestone with version 1.0 on February 18, 2004.

### Technical Specifications
CAOS Linux was built using standard Linux architecture components:
- **Kernel:** Based on the Linux kernel.
- **Core Components:** Integrated core GNU components.
- **Package Management:** The system used the RPM Package Manager for handling software installation and updates.
- **Language:** The primary language of the work and documentation was English.

### Community and Support
The project fostered a specific community infrastructure:
- **IRC Channel:** Real-time support and chat were available via IRC at `irc://irc.freenode.net/#cAos`.
- **Wiki Presence:** The distribution maintained a presence on various Wikipedia language editions, including English, Russian, Romanian, and Norwegian.

### Project Timeline and Legacy
The operational life of CAOS Linux spanned ten years. Following its stable release in early 2004, the distribution was maintained until the fall of 2014. The project officially concluded on November 1, 2014. It is listed as a derivative work connected to the CentOS project, a relationship confirmed by references citing Greg Kurtzer, founder of the CentOS project.

## References

1. [Source](https://readyspace.com.hk/greg-kurtzer-founder-of-the-centos-project/)