# gNewSense

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q305901](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q305901)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNewSense)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gnewsense

## Summary
GNewSense is a Linux distribution endorsed by the Free Software Foundation, created in 2006 with a focus on exclusively containing free software. It is based on Debian and later Ubuntu, aiming to provide a completely free software system without any proprietary components.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2006 as a Linux distribution exclusively composed of free software
- Endorsed by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) as a completely free software operating system
- Version 4.0, codenamed "Ucclia" and released on May 2, 2016, is the latest stable version
- Based on Debian (2006-2013) and later Ubuntu (2013-present)
- Licensed under the GNU General Public License
- Developed and maintained under the free software movement principles
- Has a domain name of gnewsense.org and its website is http://www.gnewsense.org/

## FAQs
### Q: What is gNewSense and how does it differ from other Linux distributions?
A: GNewSense is a Linux distribution specifically designed to contain only free software, with all proprietary components removed. Unlike most Linux distributions, it is endorsed by the Free Software Foundation for its commitment to software freedom.

### Q: How long has gNewSense been developed and is it still active?
A: GNewSense was founded in 2006 and has released several versions, with the latest stable version 4.0 (Ucclia) released in 2016. According to the GNU website, it is currently listed as inactive, though it still has an active website and repository.

### Q: What was gNewSense based on throughout its development?
A: GNewSense was based on Debian from 2006 to 2013, and later switched to Ubuntu as its base distribution starting from 2013.

### Q: Why would someone choose gNewSense over other Linux distributions?
A: Users would choose gNewSense if their priority is using a completely free software system without any proprietary components, aligning with the principles of the free software movement promoted by the FSF.

### Q: Where can I find support and community resources for gNewSense?
A: Support resources include an IRC channel (irc://irc.freenode.org/gnewsense-dev), a bug tracker (https://savannah.nongnu.org/bugs/?group=gnewsense), and a source code repository (https://bzr.savannah.gnu.org/r/gnewsense/).

## Why It Matters
GNewSense represents a significant contribution to the free software movement by providing a practical implementation of the FSF's vision for a completely free operating system. While most Linux distributions include some proprietary components for functionality or user experience, GNewSense demonstrates a strict adherence to free software principles. It serves as an important reference point for users and developers interested in software freedom and has influenced discussions about proprietary dependencies in other distributions. Despite being listed as inactive, it remains a historically important project in the free software ecosystem.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few Linux distributions fully endorsed by the Free Software Foundation for its exclusive use of free software
- Maintaining a completely proprietary-free system throughout its development history
- Successfully transitioning its base from Debian to Ubuntu while maintaining its commitment to free software
- Having released 8 major versions between 2006 and 2016, showing sustained development for over a decade
- Being featured in discussions about the practical implementation of software freedom in mainstream operating systems

## Body
### Origins and Purpose
GNewSense was founded in 2006 as a Linux distribution with a strict focus on containing only free software. The project emerged from the free software movement, aiming to create a practical implementation of the Free Software Foundation's ideals. It was designed to be a complete operating system without any proprietary components, aligning with the FSF's definition of free software.

### Technical Foundation
The distribution's base changed during its development history. From 2006 to 2013, GNewSense was based on Debian. Starting in 2013, it transitioned to Ubuntu as its base distribution. This shift allowed it to benefit from Ubuntu's larger user base and development community while maintaining its focus on free software. The project uses the GNU General Public License for its licensing and targets Intel x86 platforms.

### Version History
GNewSense has released eight major versions throughout its history:
- 1.0 (November 2, 2006): The initial release
- 2.0 (April 30, 2008): Second major version
- 2.1 (August 24, 2008): Maintenance update
- 2.2 (April 15, 2009): Further development
- 2.3 (September 14, 2009): Continuing updates
- 3.0 (August 6, 2013): Major version after the transition to Ubuntu
- 3.1 (February 9, 2014): Maintenance release
- 4.0 (May 2, 2016): Latest stable version, codenamed "Ucclia"

### Development and Community
The project is developed and maintained by contributors dedicated to free software principles. Development communication occurs through mailing lists, with archives available at the GNU Savannah project hosting. The source code is hosted in a GNU Bazaar repository at https://bzr.savannah.gnu.org/r/gnewsense/. Community engagement happens through an IRC channel on Freenode and an issue tracker for bug reporting.

### Current Status
According to the GNU website's list of free distributions, GNewSense is currently listed as inactive. However, its main website (http://www.gnewsense.org/) remains accessible, and the project still has an active presence on platforms like Wikipedia, available in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Bengali, Catalan, German, Spanish, Persian, Finnish, and French. The project has 27 sitelinks and is recognized as a Linux distribution in knowledge bases like Wikidata and Wikipedia.

### Media Reception and Reliability
Media Bias/Fact Check has rated GNewSense as a source known to be unreliable in their assessment of source reliability as of February 2, 2024. This rating may reflect perceptions about the project's current maintenance status or other factors related to its reliability as an information source.

### Project Identity and Recognition
GNewSense has established itself as a distinct entity in the Linux distribution ecosystem with its own identity, including a logo, screenshots, and documentation. It is categorized under "Category:GNewSense" in various knowledge platforms and has been recognized in academic sources through its Freebase ID (/m/0glxqk). The project is also listed on DistroWatch with its own identifier for tracking.

## References

1. [Source](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-users/2006-11/msg00001.html)
2. [Source](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-users/2008-04/msg00288.html)
3. [Source](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-users/2008-08/msg00069.html)
4. [Source](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-dev/2009-04/msg00084.html)
5. [Source](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-dev/2009-09/msg00043.html)
6. [Source](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-dev/2013-08/msg00000.html)
7. [Source](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-dev/2014-02/msg00014.html)
8. [Index of cdimage.gnewsense.org](http://cdimage.gnewsense.org)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html)