# Elpher

> Gopher and Gemini client for GNU Emacs

**Wikidata**: [Q117301856](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117301856)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elpher

## Summary
Elpher is a free software application that serves as a Gopher and Gemini client for GNU Emacs. Developed by Timothy G. Vaughan, it allows users to browse these alternative internet protocols directly within the Emacs environment.

## Key Facts
- Elpher is a dual-protocol client supporting both Gopher and Gemini protocols within GNU Emacs
- Created by Timothy G. Vaughan and maintained since its inception on April 11, 2019
- Part of NonGNU ELPA since January 29, 2022
- Written entirely in Emacs Lisp programming language
- Latest stable version is 3.5.1, released February 14, 2024
- Cross-platform software that runs on any system where GNU Emacs is available
- Available through multiple package repositories including NonGNU ELPA and MELPA

## FAQs
### Q: What internet protocols does Elpher support?
A: Elpher supports both Gopher and Gemini protocols, allowing users to browse these alternative internet networks directly within Emacs.

### Q: Who developed and maintains Elpher?
A: Elpher was created by Timothy G. Vaughan and has been maintained by him since its inception in 2019.

### Q: How can I install Elpher?
A: Elpher can be installed through Emacs package managers like NonGNU ELPA or MELPA, or downloaded directly from source code repositories including GNU Savannah.

### Q: What programming language is Elpher written in?
A: Elpher is written entirely in Emacs Lisp, making it natively compatible with the GNU Emacs environment.

## Why It Matters
Elpher matters as it preserves access to alternative internet protocols in a specialized computing environment. In an increasingly web-dominated digital landscape, it maintains the diversity of internet access methods by enabling users of Emacs—one of the oldest and most influential text editors—to browse Gopher and Gemini networks without leaving their preferred environment. This integration supports decentralized internet infrastructure and demonstrates how specialized tools can serve niche communities while adhering to free software principles. Elpher's existence ensures that these alternative protocols remain accessible to Emacs users, contributing to the broader ecosystem of internet diversity and accessibility.

## Notable For
- Unique dual-protocol support for both Gopher and Gemini within Emacs
- Long-term active maintenance since 2019 by its original creator
- Integration with Emacs' ecosystem through NonGNU ELPA package system
- Written entirely in Emacs Lisp, ensuring native compatibility with Emacs
- Cross-platform availability without requiring external dependencies beyond Emacs

## Body
### Overview
Elpher is a free software application that functions as a client for Gopher and Gemini protocols within the GNU Emacs environment. It enables users to browse these alternative internet protocols directly through their Emacs interface, maintaining access to networks outside of the traditional World Wide Web.

### Technical Details
- Written entirely in Emacs Lisp programming language
- Cross-platform software that runs wherever GNU Emacs is available
- Source code is hosted on GNU Savannah and the LambdaLab Git server
- Available through multiple package repositories including NonGNU ELPA and MELPA
- Current stable version is 3.5.1, released February 14, 2024

### Distribution
- Part of NonGNU ELPA since January 29, 2022
- Available as a package named "elpa-elpher" in Ubuntu's repositories
- Debian source package available since 2020
- Listed in the free software directory as "Elpher"

### Version History
- Initial release on April 11, 2019
- Version 3.0 series began with 3.2.2 on January 29, 2022
- Version 3.4.3 released on March 23, 2023
- Version 3.5.0 released on May 5, 2023
- Version 3.5.1 released on February 14, 2024 (latest stable as of provided data)

### Legal Status
- Distributed as free software since 2019
- Copyright held by Timothy G. Vaughan
- Licensed under free software terms (specific license Q27016754)

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Elpher",
  "description": "Gopher and Gemini client for GNU Emacs",
  "url": "https://thelambdalab.xyz/elpher/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://elpa.nongnu.org/nongnu/elpher.html"
  ],
  "additionalType": "application",
  "creator": "Timothy G. Vaughan",
  "dateCreated": "2019-04-11",
  "version": "3.5.1",
  "programmingLanguage": "Emacs Lisp",
  "operatingSystem": "GNU Emacs",
  "license": "https://opensource.org/licenses/"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://elpa.nongnu.org/nongnu/elpher.html)
2. [Source](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/nongnu.git/tree/README?h=elpa/elpher)
3. Free Software Directory
4. [Elpher version 3.4.3. 2023](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2023-03/msg00054.html)
5. [Elpher version 3.4.2. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-07/msg00053.html)
6. [Elpher version 3.4.1. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-05/msg00007.html)
7. [Elpher version 3.4.0. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-05/msg00002.html)
8. [Elpher version 3.3.3. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-04/msg00025.html)
9. [Elpher version 3.3.2. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-02/msg00020.html)
10. [Elpher version 3.3.1. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-02/msg00005.html)
11. [Elpher version 3.2.2. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-01/msg00096.html)
12. [Elpher version 3.5.0. 2023](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2023-05/msg00003.html)
13. [Elpher version 3.5.1. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-02/msg00041.html)
14. [Elpher version 3.6.0. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-03/msg00066.html)
15. [[NonGNU ELPA] Elpher version 3.6.1. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-06/msg00033.html)
16. [[NonGNU ELPA] Elpher version 3.6.2. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-07/msg00004.html)
17. [[NonGNU ELPA] Elpher version 3.6.3. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-09/msg00086.html)
18. [[NonGNU ELPA] Elpher version 3.6.4. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-10/msg00042.html)
19. [[NonGNU ELPA] Elpher version 3.6.5. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-03/msg00022.html)
20. [[NonGNU ELPA] Elpher version 3.6.6. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-09/msg00059.html)
21. [[NonGNU ELPA] Elpher version 3.7.0. 2026](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2026-02/msg00056.html)