# Luwak

> text-based web browser for Emacs

**Wikidata**: [Q115453201](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115453201)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luwak

## Summary
Luwak is a free, text-based web browser for GNU Emacs, developed by software engineer Yuchen Pei. It is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License and is available as a package in GNU ELPA. Luwak is written in Emacs Lisp and is designed to run on multiple platforms.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Text-based web browser for GNU Emacs
- **Creator**: Yuchen Pei (software engineer and mathematician)
- **License**: GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later
- **Repository**: Hosted on [g.ypei.me](https://g.ypei.me/luwak.git)
- **Package Repository**: Available in GNU ELPA since November 25, 2022
- **Version**: 1.0.0 (released November 25, 2022)
- **Programming Language**: Emacs Lisp
- **Platform**: Cross-platform (runs on multiple operating systems)
- **Movement**: Free software movement
- **Copyright Holder**: Free Software Foundation

## FAQs
### Q: What is Luwak, and how does it work?
A: Luwak is a text-based web browser designed for GNU Emacs. It allows users to browse the web within the Emacs environment, leveraging Emacs Lisp for functionality. It is distributed as a free software package under the GNU Affero General Public License.

### Q: Who developed Luwak, and when was it released?
A: Luwak was developed by Yuchen Pei, a software engineer and mathematician. The first version, 1.0.0, was released on November 25, 2022.

### Q: Is Luwak free to use?
A: Yes, Luwak is free software distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute it.

### Q: Where can I download Luwak?
A: Luwak is available in GNU ELPA, the default package repository for GNU Emacs. It can also be accessed via its source code repository at [g.ypei.me](https://g.ypei.me/luwak.git).

### Q: What programming language is Luwak written in?
A: Luwak is written in Emacs Lisp, the dialect of Lisp used in GNU Emacs.

## Why It Matters
Luwak fills a niche in the Emacs ecosystem by providing a text-based web browsing experience directly within the editor. As part of the free software movement, it aligns with the principles of user freedom and open-source collaboration. By integrating web browsing into Emacs, Luwak enhances the productivity of users who rely on Emacs for their workflows. Its development demonstrates the ongoing innovation within the Emacs community, particularly in leveraging Emacs Lisp for new functionalities. The project also highlights the importance of cross-platform compatibility in modern software development, ensuring accessibility across different operating systems.

## Notable For
- **First Release**: Luwak was the first text-based web browser specifically designed for GNU Emacs, marking a new addition to the Emacs package ecosystem.
- **Free Software**: It adheres to the principles of the free software movement, ensuring users have the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software.
- **Emacs Integration**: Luwak seamlessly integrates web browsing into the Emacs environment, enhancing the editor's functionality for users who prefer text-based interfaces.
- **Open Development**: The project is maintained by Yuchen Pei and is hosted on an open-source repository, encouraging community contributions and transparency.
- **Cross-Platform**: Luwak is designed to run on multiple platforms, ensuring broad accessibility for users across different operating systems.

## Body
### Overview
Luwak is a text-based web browser developed for GNU Emacs, created by Yuchen Pei. It is part of the free software movement and is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License. The browser is written in Emacs Lisp and is available as a package in GNU ELPA, the default package repository for GNU Emacs.

### Development and Release
- **Creator**: Yuchen Pei, a software engineer and mathematician, developed Luwak.
- **Inception**: The project was announced on October 21, 2022, with the first version, 1.0.0, released on November 25, 2022.
- **Repository**: The source code is hosted on [g.ypei.me](https://g.ypei.me/luwak.git) and is also available in the GNU Savannah repository.

### Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: Emacs Lisp, the dialect of Lisp used in GNU Emacs.
- **License**: GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later.
- **Platform**: Cross-platform, compatible with multiple operating systems.
- **Package Repository**: Available in GNU ELPA since November 25, 2022.

### Significance
Luwak enhances the functionality of GNU Emacs by providing a text-based web browser, integrating web browsing directly into the editor. Its development aligns with the principles of the free software movement, ensuring user freedom and open-source collaboration. The project demonstrates the ongoing innovation within the Emacs community and highlights the importance of cross-platform compatibility in modern software development.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Luwak",
  "description": "A text-based web browser for GNU Emacs",
  "url": "https://g.ypei.me/luwak.git",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456789", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luwak"],
  "applicationCategory": "Web Browser",
  "operatingSystem": "Cross-platform",
  "programmingLanguage": "Emacs Lisp",
  "license": "GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later",
  "datePublished": "2022-11-25",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Yuchen Pei"
  },
  "softwareVersion": "1.0.0"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://g.ypei.me/luwak.git/tree/luwak.el)
2. [Luwak version 1.0.0. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-11/msg00072.html)
3. [New GNU ELPA package: luwak - Web browser based on lynx -dump.. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu-emacs/2022-11/msg00002.html)
4. [New package: luwak. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2022-10/msg01646.html)
5. [Source](https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/luwak.html)