# GoboLinux

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q779967](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q779967)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GoboLinux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gobolinux

## Summary
GoboLinux is a Linux distribution that reorganizes the traditional Unix file system hierarchy into a more logical structure. It was created to simplify software management and installation by using a unique directory layout where each program has its own dedicated folder.

## Key Facts
- Founded on March 20, 2002 by Hisham Muhammad
- Uses a non-standard filesystem hierarchy where each program gets its own directory
- Latest stable version is 017, released on May 24, 2020
- Licensed under the GNU General Public License
- Runs on i686 architecture and Pentium Pro processors
- Has 16 Wikipedia sitelinks across multiple languages
- Active on social media with 28 followers on Mastodon as of April 11, 2024

## FAQs

### Q: What makes GoboLinux different from other Linux distributions?
A: GoboLinux reorganizes the traditional Unix filesystem hierarchy by giving each program its own directory, making software management more intuitive and reducing conflicts between packages.

### Q: What is the latest version of GoboLinux?
A: The latest stable version is 017, released on May 24, 2020, with previous versions dating back to 2003.

### Q: Who created GoboLinux and when?
A: GoboLinux was created by Hisham Muhammad and officially launched on March 20, 2002.

## Why It Matters
GoboLinux represents an innovative approach to Linux distribution design by challenging the conventional Unix filesystem hierarchy that has been in place since the 1970s. Its unique directory structure, where each program has its own dedicated folder, simplifies software installation and management while reducing conflicts between packages. This reorganization makes it easier for users to understand where programs and their components are located, and simplifies tasks like removing software completely. The distribution demonstrates that alternative approaches to traditional Unix design can be viable and beneficial, contributing to the diversity of the Linux ecosystem and inspiring discussions about operating system architecture.

## Notable For
- Revolutionary filesystem hierarchy that reorganizes traditional Unix directory structure
- First Linux distribution to implement a per-program directory system
- Active development spanning nearly two decades with 17 stable releases
- Strong commitment to the GNU General Public License and open source principles
- Unique approach to package management that eliminates dependency conflicts

## Body
### Architecture and Design
GoboLinux runs on i686 architecture and Pentium Pro processors, making it compatible with a wide range of hardware. The distribution's core innovation lies in its filesystem organization, which departs from the traditional Unix hierarchy (bin, sbin, lib, etc.) in favor of a more intuitive structure where each program has its own directory.

### Version History
The distribution has seen consistent development since its inception in 2002, with stable versions released regularly:
- Version 006 (May 9, 2003)
- Version 007 (October 22, 2003)
- Version 010 (January 7, 2004)
- Version 011 (June 7, 2004)
- Version 012 (June 6, 2005)
- Version 013 (November 2, 2006)
- Version 014 (December 31, 2007)
- Version 015 (May 7, 2014)
- Version 016 (December 2, 2016)
- Version 017 (May 24, 2020)

### Community and Support
GoboLinux maintains an active presence across multiple platforms:
- Official website: http://gobolinux.org/
- Twitter account established in August 2009
- Mastodon presence since February 2, 2021
- GitHub repository for development
- Facebook page with ID 100054232490552
- Listed on DistroWatch with ID 'gobolinux'

### Licensing and Philosophy
The distribution is licensed under the GNU General Public License, reflecting its commitment to free and open-source software principles. This licensing ensures that users have the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software as they see fit.

### Documentation and Resources
GoboLinux maintains comprehensive documentation and resources:
- Wikipedia articles in 9 languages (ca, commons, en, es, fr, hu, it, ja, ko, no)
- Commons category for media files
- Active development documented on GitHub
- Historical information available through various online archives

## References

1. [Source](https://gobolinux.org/releases.html)
2. [Source](https://github.com/gobolinux/LiveCD/releases/tag/016)
3. [Source](https://gobolinux.org/gobolinux016.html)
4. [Source](https://github.com/gobolinux/LiveCD/releases/tag/017)
5. [Source](https://gobolinux.org/gobolinux017.html)
6. [Release 017.01 · gobolinux/LiveCD](https://github.com/gobolinux/LiveCD/releases/tag/017.01)
7. [Announcing GoboLinux 017.01 - Passing the Torch 🔥](https://gobolinux.org/#content)
8. [The Unix tree rethought: an introduction to GoboLinux. 2003](https://gobolinux.org/k5.html)
9. [Source](https://github.com/gobolinux/gobolinux.org/blob/master/lang/en_US/pages/k5.html#L28-L71)
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013