# Red Flag Linux

> Chinese Linux distribution developed by Red Flag Software

**Wikidata**: [Q594397](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q594397)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Flag_Linux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/red-flag-linux

## Summary
Red Flag Linux is a Chinese Linux distribution developed by Red Flag Software. It is an operating system based on the Linux kernel, often utilizing core GNU components. The distribution was initially announced in August 1999.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Linux distribution (operating system based on the Linux kernel).
- **Developer:** Red Flag Software.
- **Inception Date:** August 1999.
- **Announcement Date:** August 10, 1999.
- **Latest Versions:** Version 10.0 (preferred) and Version 11.0.
- **Product Name:** Red Flag Desktop Linux (specifically version 10 referenced as "红旗Linux桌面 10").
- **Official Website:** https://www.chinaredflag.cn/
- **Language:** Chinese.
- **Distinction:** Different from Red Star OS.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Red Flag Linux first announced?
A: Red Flag Linux was announced on August 10, 1999. Its inception is dated to August 1999.

### Q: Who develops Red Flag Linux?
A: The operating system is developed by Red Flag Software.

### Q: Is Red Flag Linux the same as Red Star OS?
A: No, Red Flag Linux is explicitly different from Red Star OS.

### Q: What are the recent versions of the software?
A: documented versions include 10.0, labeled "Red Flag Desktop Linux," and 11.0.

## Why It Matters
Red Flag Linux represents a significant localization of the Linux operating system for the Chinese market. As a distribution developed by Red Flag Software, it provides an operating system environment specifically tailored for Chinese users, distinguished by its language support and local development. Its inception in 1999 places it among the earlier distributions to target this specific demographic, highlighting the global expansion and adaptability of the open-source Linux kernel beyond English-centric computing environments. The continued release of versions, such as 10.0 and 11.0, demonstrates sustained development efforts in the competitive operating system landscape.

## Notable For
- Being a Linux distribution specifically developed for the Chinese market by Red Flag Software.
- An inception date of August 1999, making it a long-standing project within the Linux ecosystem.
- Distinction from other Asian Linux distributions, specifically Red Star OS.
- Releasing specific desktop versions such as "Red Flag Desktop Linux 10."

## Body
### Overview and Development
Red Flag Linux is a Linux distribution developed by the entity Red Flag Software. It is classified as an operating system based on the Linux kernel and often includes core GNU components. The software is designed to function as a desktop environment, evidenced by product titles such as "Red Flag Desktop Linux."

### History and Timeline
The project has a documented history dating back to the late 1990s.
- **Inception:** August 1999.
- **Announcement:** The distribution was formally announced on August 10, 1999, as recorded by LWN.net.
- **References:** Early documentation includes an article titled "Raising the Red Flag" by Doc Searls, published in Linux Journal on January 30, 2002.

### Versions and Availability
The distribution has undergone multiple iterations.
- **Version 10.0:** Identified as a preferred version, referenced officially as "Red Flag Desktop Linux红旗Linux桌面 10" (Red Flag Desktop Linux 10). Documentation for this version was noted in February 2021.
- **Version 11.0:** Also listed as a version of the software.
- **Website:** The official website is hosted at `chinaredflag.cn`, which serves content in Chinese.

### Identity and Data
The entity maintains specific identifiers across knowledge bases:
- **Wikidata Description:** "Chinese Linux distribution developed by Red Flag Software."
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in multiple languages including English, Chinese (ca/commons), German (de), Spanish (es), French (fr), and others.
- **Differentiation:** Wikidata explicitly notes that Red Flag Linux is "different from" Red Star OS.

## References

1. [Red Flag Desktop Linux红旗Linux桌面 10](http://www.chinaredflag.cn/product/newproduct?ulink=&tolink=redflag-web/DT10)
2. [Raising the Red Flag. Linux Journal. 2002](https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5784)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://lwn.net/1999/0812/a/redflag.html)
5. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Red_Flag_Linux-N5946)