# FreeNOS

> Unix-like microkernel operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q17632591](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17632591)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/freenos

## Summary
FreeNOS is a Unix-like microkernel operating system, also known as Free Niek's Operating System. It is free software licensed under version 3.0 of the GNU General Public License.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** Unix-like operating system
- **Architecture:** Uses a microkernel design
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0
- **Current Stable Version:** 1.0.3 (released 2021-01-13)
- **Website:** http://www.freenos.org/
- **Repository:** Primary source code hosted on GitHub (https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS), previously hosted on Google Code (2011-2016)
- **Status:** Free software; copyrighted

## FAQs
### Q: What does "Free" in FreeNOS stand for?
A: The name combines "Free" as in free software (open-source) and "Free Niek's Operating System," referencing its creator, Niek Linnenbank.

### Q: Why is FreeNOS significant as a microkernel OS?
A: It provides an implementation of the Unix-like interface built on a microkernel architecture, serving as both an educational project and a research platform for understanding modern OS design principles.

### Q: How can someone contribute to or use FreeNOS?
A: Source code is publicly available on GitHub. Development discussions and issue tracking occur there. Users can explore the OS through its releases, with version 1.0.3 being the latest stable as of the source data.

## Why It Matters
FreeNOS holds significance as an accessible example of a microkernel-based operating system offering a Unix-like environment. It bridges the gap between academic research on microkernels and practical implementation, particularly for learners and developers. By providing a real, albeit evolving, microkernel OS under a free license, it enables hands-on exploration of concepts like minimal kernel functionality and user-space service isolation, contributing to the broader understanding and development of modern operating system paradigms.

## Notable For
- Being a complete, Unix-like operating system implemented strictly as a microkernel.
- Its evolution from hosting on Google Code (2011-2016) to GitHub (2015-present).
- Its version release history starting from 0.0.1 (2009) up to 1.0.3 (2021), showing sustained development.
- Serving primarily as an educational and research platform for microkernel design.

## Body

### Overview
FreeNOS is an operating system classified as Unix-like and built using a microkernel architecture. Its name originates from both its free software nature and its creator, Niek Linnenbank ("Free Niek's Operating System").

### Technical Details
- **Architecture:** Utilizes a microkernel design.
- **Interface:** Provides a Unix-like operating system behavior and interface.
- **Source Code Hosted On:** GitHub (https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS - primary), previously Google Code (2011-2016).
- **Development Issues Tracked On:** GitHub (https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/issues).

### Licensing
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted.
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0 (GPL-3.0).

### Version History
- **0.0.1:** Released 2009-06-13
- **0.0.2:** Released 2009-07-03
- **0.0.3:** Released 2009-07-10
- **0.0.4:** Released 2009-09-06
- **1.0.0:** Released 2019-07-29
- **1.0.1:** Released 2020-06-14
- **1.0.2:** Released 2020-09-03
- **1.0.3:** Released 2021-01-13 (Preferred version as of source data)

### Development
- **Primary Maintainer/Creator:** Niek Linnenbank (based on GitHub repository name and project alias).
- **Contribution:** Development contributions are managed via GitHub.

### Related Projects
- **Class:** Unix-like operating system (related entity with 47 sitelinks).
- **Type:** Free software.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.freenos.org/)
2. [Source](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS)
3. [Release 0.0.3. 2009](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/0.0.3)
4. [Release 0.0.4. 2009](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/0.0.4)
5. [Release 1.0.0. 2019](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/1.0.0)
6. [Source](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases)
7. [Release 0.0.2. 2009](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/0.0.2)
8. [Release 0.0.1. 2009](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/0.0.1)
9. [Release 1.0.1. 2020](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/1.0.1)
10. [Release 1.0.2. 2020](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/1.0.2)
11. [Release 1.0.3. 2021](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/1.0.3)
12. [Release 1.0.4. 2025](https://github.com/nieklinnenbank/FreeNOS/releases/tag/1.0.4)
13. [Source](http://www.freenos.org/pages/contribute.html)