The GNU Operating System FSF | FSF Europe | FSF India Translations of this page The GNU Operating System Free as in Freedom Welcome to the GNU Project web server. The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete UNIX like operating system which is free software : the GNU system, (GNU is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not UNIX”; it is pronounced “guh-noo,” “noo” being like the American “new”). Variants of the GNU operating system, which use the kernel Linux, are now widely used; though these systems are often referred to as “Linux”, they are more accurately called GNU/Linux systems . The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is the principal organizational sponsor of the GNU Project. FSF receives very little funding from corporations or grant-making foundations, but rely on support from individuals like you. Please consider helping the FSF in one of the ways described under Help FSF! (in the navigation bar). We support the FSF's mission to preserve, protect and promote the freedom to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer software, and to defend the rights of Free Software users. We support the freedoms of speech, press, and association on the Internet, the right to use encryption software for private communication , and the right to write software unimpeded by private monopolies. You can also read more about these issues by subscribing to the independent Free Software Magazine . What we provide Why we exist Where we are going How you can help us get there Who we are What users think of GNU software   Site Search Sitemap Links GNU Philosophy Free Software Jobs Art Fun   Software Free Software Directory Add to Directory Software Development Projects GNU Documentation Licenses Obtaining GNU/Linux Developer Resources GNU Software Help How to Help GNU Suggest a Priority Project   Help FSF! Ordering Donating Associate Membership Corporate Patronage Thank GNUs GNU and Education   Keeping Up Keeping Up Mirrors GNU Discussion GNU Speakers GNU User Groups Press Information Brave GNU World Free Software Magazine   (independently published) Free Software, Free Society GNUs Flashes