# Trisquel

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q1588573](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1588573)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisquel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/trisquel

## Summary
Trisquel is a fully free Linux distribution endorsed by the Free Software Foundation, designed for small enterprises, domestic users, and educational centers. Founded in 2004 by Rubén Rodríguez Pérez and sponsored by the University of Vigo, it is based on Ubuntu but strictly removes all proprietary software to adhere to the free software movement. The operating system is part of the GNU variants class and is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 2004
- **Founder and Developer:** Rubén Rodríguez Pérez (computer engineer, programmer, and free software activist)
- **Sponsor:** Vigo University (Spanish public university)
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0
- **Classification:** Linux distribution, GNU variant, FSF-endorsed operating system
- **Platform:** AArch64 (64-bit architecture); legacy support for i686 in older versions
- **Current Stable Version:** 11.0 "Aramo" (released March 19, 2023)
- **Previous Stable Version:** 10.0 "Nabia" (released January 31, 2022)
- **Package Management:** dpkg
- **Country of Origin:** Spain
- **Named After:** Triskelion (a symbol with three-fold rotational symmetry)
- **Source Code Repository:** https://gitlab.trisquel.org/trisquel/
- **Website:** https://trisquel.info (available in English, Spanish, Italian, Galician, French, and German)
- **Community Channels:** IRC (irc://irc.libera.chat/trisquel), Subreddit (r/trisquel), Mailing List
- **Derivative Work:** Uruk GNU/Linux
- **Characteristics:** Self-hosting, copyrighted status
- **External IDs:** Freebase (/m/02pt5qh), Framalibre (trisquel-gnulinux), DistroWatch (trisquel), Crunchbase (trisquel-gnu-linux), AlternativeTo (trisquel)

## FAQs
**Who created and maintains Trisquel?**
Trisquel was founded in 2004 and is developed by Rubén Rodríguez Pérez, a Spanish computer engineer and free software activist. The project is sponsored by Vigo University.

**Is Trisquel completely free software?**
Yes, Trisquel is an FSF-endorsed operating system that strictly follows the free software movement. It is based on Ubuntu but removes all proprietary and non-free software components.

**What hardware does Trisquel support?**
The distribution runs on the AArch64 (64-bit ARM) architecture. Previous versions, such as 9.0.1 and 9.0.2, provided support for the i686 architecture.

**Why is the project called Trisquel?**
The project is named after the triskelion, a symbol characterized by three-fold rotational symmetry.

**Where can I find technical support and documentation?**
Users can access the user manual wiki, report issues via the GitLab issue tracker, join the IRC channel on Libera Chat, or browse the mailing list archives.

## Why It Matters
Trisquel plays a critical role in the free software ecosystem by providing a distribution that adheres strictly to the Free Software Foundation's standards for freedom. By eliminating proprietary blobs and drivers, it ensures that users have complete control over their computing environment, addressing the ethical concerns associated with non-free software. Its endorsement by the FSF makes it a key recommendation for users who prioritize software freedom over convenience or proprietary hardware support. Additionally, its origin at a Spanish public university highlights an institutional commitment to open education and self-hosting capabilities.

## Notable For
- **FSF Endorsement:** It is listed among the GNU/Linux distributions recommended and endorsed by the Free Software Foundation.
- **Strict Free Software Policy:** It is based on Ubuntu but meticulously removes all proprietary and non-free software.
- **Celtic Naming Convention:** All version codenames are derived from Celtic mythology (e.g., Arianrhod, Dagda, Toutatis, Aramo).
- **Academic Sponsorship:** It is uniquely sponsored by a public university, Vigo University, rather than a corporate entity.
- **Derivative Ecosystem:** It serves as the base for other free distributions, such as Uruk GNU/Linux.
- **Multi-Language Presence:** The project maintains a localized web presence in six languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Galician, French, and German.

## Body

### Overview and Classification
Trisquel is a Linux distribution belonging to the family of Unix-like operating systems and is classified specifically as a GNU variant. It is explicitly identified as a distribution of "GNU/Linux" rather than just "Linux" by its maintainers, a stance rooted in the recognition of the GNU project's foundational contributions to the operating system. The project is part of the "FSF-endorsed operating systems" class, meaning it meets the Free Software Foundation's criteria for being entirely free. Trisquel is copyrighted software but is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0.

### History and Development
The project was founded in 2004 by Rubén Rodríguez Pérez, who remains the main developer. Rodríguez Pérez is a computer engineer, programmer, and free software activist from Spain. Development has been supported by Vigo University, a Spanish public university that acts as the project's sponsor. The project's self-hosting characteristic indicates its capability to maintain its own infrastructure and development tools.

### Release History
Trisquel has maintained a consistent release schedule with versions named after figures from Celtic mythology:
*   **1.0 "Arianrhod":** Released January 30, 2007.
*   **2.0 "Robur":** Released July 24, 2008.
*   **3.0 "Dwyn":** Released September 8, 2009.
*   **3.5 "Awen":** Released March 22, 2010.
*   **4.0 "Taranis":** Released September 18, 2010.
*   **4.5 "Slaine":** Released March 24, 2011.
*   **5.0 "Dagda":** Released September 17, 2011.
*   **5.5 "Brigantia":** Released April 16, 2012.
*   **6.0 "Toutatis":** Released March 9, 2013.
*   **7.0 "Belenos":** Released November 3, 2014.
*   **8.0 "Flidas":** Released April 18, 2018.
*   **9.0 "Etiona":** Released October 16, 2020. A legacy update, 9.0.2, was released on January 31, 2022.
*   **10.0 "Nabia":** Released January 31, 2022, with an incremental update (10.0.1) following on May 26, 2022.
*   **11.0 "Aramo":** The current stable version, released March 19, 2023.

### Technical Specifications
Trisquel utilizes the dpkg package management system. The distribution is designed to run on the AArch64 (64-bit ARM) architecture, as reflected in the stable versions 10.0 and 11.0. Earlier iterations, specifically the 9.0 series, included support for the i686 architecture. The source code is publicly maintained in a repository on GitLab.

### Community and Resources
The project fosters a multi-lingual community with a website localized in English, Spanish, Italian, Galician, French, and German. Communication channels include an IRC channel (`irc://irc.libera.chat/trisquel`), a subreddit (`r/trisquel`), and a mailing list archive. Documentation is available through a dedicated wiki on the project website. Issue tracking is managed via GitLab.

### Related Projects and Symbolism
Trisquel is the base for Uruk GNU/Linux, another GNU/Linux distribution that emerged in 2016. The project's name and branding are derived from the triskelion, a symbol featuring three-fold rotational symmetry. This symbolism is reflected in the project's logo and visual identity.

## References

1. Wayback Machine
2. [Source](https://trisquel.info/en/faq)
3. [Trisquel 7.0 LTS Belenos](https://trisquel.info/de/trisquel-70-lts-belenos)
4. [Source](https://trisquel.info/en/trisquel-80-lts-flidas)
5. [Source](https://trisquel.info/en/trisquel-90-etiona-release-announcement-and-100-plans)
6. [Source](https://trisquel.info/en/trisquel-10-nabia-release-announcement)
7. [Trisquel 10.0 LTS Nabia release announcement. 2022](https://listas.trisquel.info/pipermail/trisquel-announce/2022-February/000025.html)
8. [Release announcement: Trisquel 10.0.1 LTS "Nabia" incremental update. 2022](https://listas.trisquel.info/pipermail/trisquel-announce/2022-May/000026.html)
9. [Release announcement: Trisquel 9.0.1 Etiona security update. 2021](https://listas.trisquel.info/pipermail/trisquel-announce/2021-October/000024.html)
10. [Source](https://cdimage.trisquel.info/trisquel-images/)
11. [Trisquel 11.0 "Aramo" release announcement. 2023](https://listas.trisquel.info/pipermail/trisquel-announce/2023-March/000027.html)
12. [Source](https://trisquel.info/en/users/quidam)
13. [Source](https://quidam.cc/projects-portfolio)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Source](https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html)