# MidnightBSD

> operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q1978306](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1978306)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MidnightBSD)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/midnightbsd

## Summary

MidnightBSD is an operating system . It was established on August 6, 2007 .

## Summary
MidnightBSD is a general-purpose operating system derived from the BSD stream, designed to manage computer hardware resources. Initially released on August 6, 2007, it is distinguished by its focus on providing a usable desktop environment, utilizing graphical user interface toolkits such as GNUstep and Xfce. The project is distributed under BSD licenses and has seen continuous development, with stable versions released as recently as 2022.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Operating system.
- **Inception Date:** August 6, 2007.
- **License:** BSD licenses.
- **Programming Language:** C.
- **Graphical User Interface (GUI):** Supports GNUstep and Xfce frameworks.
- **Latest Stable Version (from source):** Version 2.2.0, released on June 7, 2022.
- **Source Code Repository:** Hosted on GitHub (`github.com/midnightbsd/src` and `github.com/midnightbsd/mports`).
- **Official Website:** http://www.midnightbsd.org/
- **Alias:** mnbsd.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of operating system is MidnightBSD?
A: MidnightBSD is an operating system classified under the BSD licenses. It functions as software that manages computer hardware resources and is designed with desktop usage in mind, as indicated by its integration of GUI toolkits like Xfce.

### Q: When was MidnightBSD first released?
A: The project was initially published on August 6, 2007, with the release of version 0.1.

### Q: What desktop environments does MidnightBSD support?
A: MidnightBSD supports the GNUstep and Xfce graphical user interface frameworks, aiming to provide a desktop-friendly Unix experience.

### Q: Is MidnightBSD free to use?
A: Yes, MidnightBSD is distributed under the BSD licenses, which are permissive free software licenses.

## Why It Matters
MidnightBSD occupies a specific niche in the open-source ecosystem as a desktop-focused BSD distribution. While many BSD-based operating systems prioritize server stability and enterprise infrastructure, MidnightBSD distinguishes itself by targeting the personal desktop experience ("Unix für den Desktop"). This focus is evident in its structural inclusion of GUI frameworks like GNUstep and Xfce directly within its property sets.

The project demonstrates sustained independent development activity spanning over 15 years, from its inception in 2007 to version releases in 2022. By offering an alternative to Linux-based desktop distributions, MidnightBSD provides users with a cohesive Unix environment built on the C programming language and the BSD licensing model, which offers fewer restrictions than the GPL. Its existence proves the viability of BSD derivatives for personal computing tasks, managing hardware resources effectively while maintaining a distinct visual identity represented by its dedicated logo.

## Notable For
- **Desktop Orientation:** Unlike many server-centric BSDs, it explicitly targets desktop use ("Unix für den Desktop") with integrated support for Xfce and GNUstep.
- **Sustained Development:** It has maintained an active release schedule from 2007 (v0.1) through 2022 (v2.2.0).
- **BSD Licensing:** The system operates under the permissive BSD licenses, facilitating code sharing and modification.
- **Independent Source Management:** The project maintains distinct repositories for its core source code and ports system (`mports`) on GitHub.

## Body

### History and Inception
MidnightBSD was officially published on August 6, 2007, coinciding with the release of version 0.1. The inception of the project dates back to this same date in 2007. The operating system has evolved through multiple stable iterations, reflecting an ongoing development cycle. Significant milestones include the release of version 1.0 on October 14, 2018, which was notably highlighted as "Unix for the Desktop," and the release of version 2.0 on November 13, 2020.

### Version History
The operating system has seen several updates, reflecting active maintenance:
- **1.x Series:** Included stable releases such as 1.0 (2018), 1.1 (2019), 1.2 (2019), and maintenance updates like 1.1.4 and 1.2.1 in 2020.
- **2.x Series:** Began with version 2.0 in November 2020, followed by version 2.1 in September 2021, and subsequent security and point releases such as 2.1.2 (Nov 2021), 2.1.7 (April 2022), and 2.2.0 (June 2022).

### Technical Architecture
MidnightBSD is primarily written in the C programming language (referenced as Q15777). It is designed to function as a standalone operating system that manages computer hardware resources. A key component of its architecture is the "mports" system, which is hosted in a separate repository alongside the main kernel and userland source code.

### User Interface
The operating system places a strong emphasis on graphical capabilities. It natively supports the **GNUstep** framework, a free implementation of the OpenStep specification, and the **Xfce** desktop environment. These integrations underscore its goal of providing a usable graphical desktop experience out of the box.

### Licensing and Copyright
The system is distributed under the **BSD licenses**. While the code base is largely open, the project retains a "copyrighted" status, managed under its specific copyright terms found in the source repository. The project is accessible via its official website and its GitHub organization.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.openhub.net/p/mnbsd)
2. [MidnightBSD 1.0: Unix für den Desktop. 2018](https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/MidnightBSD-1-0-Unix-fuer-den-Desktop-4191885.html)
3. [MidnightBSD 1.1 Release Notes. 2019](https://www.midnightbsd.org/notes/)
4. [MidnightBSD 1.1 erschienen. 2019](https://www.pro-linux.de/news/1/26742/midnightbsd-11-erschienen.html)
5. [Source](http://www.midnightbsd.org/notes/1.2/index.html)
6. [2021](https://www.midnightbsd.org/notes/)
7. [Source](https://www.midnightbsd.org/notes/2.0/index.html)
8. [2.1.2. 2021](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.1.2)
9. [Source](http://www.midnightbsd.org/security/index.html#a20220404)
10. [Source](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.2.0)
11. [Release 1.1.4. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.1.4)
12. [Release 1.2.1. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.1)
13. [Release 1.2.2. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.2)
14. [Release 1.2.3. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.3)
15. [Release 1.2.4. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.4)
16. [Release 1.2.5. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.5)
17. [Release 1.2.6. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.6)
18. [Release 1.2.7. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.7)
19. [Release 1.2.8. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.8)
20. [Release 1.2.9. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.9)
21. [Release 1.2.10. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.10)
22. [Release 1.2.11. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/1.2.11)
23. [Release 2.0.1. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.0.1)
24. [Release 2.0.2. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.0.2)
25. [Release 2.0.3. 2020](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.0.3)
26. [Release 2.0.5. 2021](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.0.5)
27. [Release 2.0.6. 2021](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.0.6)
28. [Release 2.0.7. 2021](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.0.7)
29. [Release 2.0.8. 2021](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.0.8)
30. [Release 2.1.0. 2021](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.1.0)
31. [Release 2.1.1. 2021](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.1.1)
32. [Release 2.1.3. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.1.3)
33. [Release 2.1.4. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.1.4)
34. [Release 2.1.5. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.1.5)
35. [Release 2.1.6. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.1.6)
36. [Release 2.1.8. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.1.8)
37. [Release 2.2.1. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.2.1)
38. [Release 2.2.2. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.2.2)
39. [Release 2.2.3. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.2.3)
40. [Release 2.2.4. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.2.4)
41. [Release 2.2.5. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.2.5)
42. [Release 0.1.0. 2007](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/mports/releases/tag/RELEASE_0_1_0)
43. [Release 0.1.1. 2007](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/mports/releases/tag/MPORTS_0_1_1_RELEASE)
44. [Release 0.2.0. 2008](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/mports/releases/tag/RELEASE_0_2_0)
45. [Release 0.2.1. 2008](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/mports/releases/tag/RELEASE_0_2_1)
46. [Release 0.3.0. 2011](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/mports/releases/tag/RELEASE_0_3_0)
47. [Release 0.4.0. 2013](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/mports/releases/tag/RELEASE_0_4_0)
48. [Release 0.8. 2016](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/mports/releases/tag/0.8)
49. [Release 2.2.6. 2022](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.2.6)
50. [2.2.7. 2023](https://github.com/MidnightBSD/src/releases/tag/2.2.7)