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.png) GNOME on OpenDarwin | |
| Developer | GNU-Darwin |
|---|---|
| OS family | BSD |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Open source |
| Kernel type | XNU (based upon Mach) |
| Official website | http://gnu-darwin.sf.net |
GNU-Darwin is a distribution of the Darwin operating system, packaged with other free software. Its included applications can also be installed on existing installations of OpenDarwin and Mac OS X. The project states its goals are to "ocus on projects that leverage our unique combination of Darwin and GNU, and help users to enjoy the benefits of software freedom."
History
The project was started by Michael L. Love (aka Proclus) in November 2000. The original goal of the GNU-Darwin project was to bring the benefits of free software to the wide spectrum of Mac users, as the motto "bringing GNU to Darwin" states.
GNU-Darwin was originally supposed to run on top of Mac OS X, however after other developers ported an X server to Mac OS X that allowed users to run Unix-like software without having to port the interface elements to Mac OS X. That project, XDarwin is still active.
In the year 2002, the GNU-Darwin group launched the so called "Free Darwin" campaign, aimed at pressuring Apple to modify the Apple Public Source License (APSL) under which Darwin is released. The Free Darwin campaign culminated in December 2002, when GNU-Darwin dropped its support of software linked with proprietary libraries (including Cocoa and Carbon) and switched to the x86 architecture. The PowerPC offering was put into maintenance mode. Apple later released version 2.0 of the APSL in order to get the "free software" certification from the Free Software Foundation.
In January 2003, version 1.0 was released. At that time there were more than 15,000 software packages available.
Activism
As a defender of digital liberties GNU-Darwin is also a platform for digital activism. Such activism is aimed of making pressure over governmental bodies or corporation by such means as boycotts, blockades, community response, de-branding, labor solidarity, and whistleblowing. GNU-Darwin joined anti-war activism, the free Dmitry campaign, and an anti-DMCA campaign.
Description
In its current 1.1 revision GNU-Darwin needs a two-step installation procedure that requires an installation of Darwin on top of which the GNU-Darwin packages will run. A one-step installation procedure is expected to be included with the next release. The distribution also includes a bootable installer that bundles the GNU-Darwin packages with OpenDarwin.
All GNU-Darwin packages can be downloaded free of charge from the web. The project has also made its packages available for purchase on CD-R or DVD-R discs, with proceeds going back to the project. Two examples include the 5 DVD-R set for PowerPC, which sells for $45 on the website, and the pre-installed hard drive for x86 or Power PC, for $250.
Notes
- Mission statement from the introductory paragraph at the top of the project's homepage at http://gnu-darwin.sourceforge.net/
- Posting on a SourceForge forum announcing the completion of GNU-Darwin 1.0
- Article written by GNU-Darwin's founder about the project's "digital activism."
See also
External link
- Official site, also accessible through www.gnu-darwin.org
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