<h3>What is the <acronym>GNU</acronym> pr<a><a><a>oject?</h3> 6 I; i, ~1 c1 t8 z) H @9 N u
<p>The <acronym>GNU</acronym> Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete Unix-like operating system which is <a href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">free software</a>: the <acronym>GNU</acronym> system. Variants of the <acronym>GNU</acronym> operating system, which use the kernel called Linux, are now widely used; though these systems are often referred to as “Linux”, they are more accurately called <a href="http://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html">GNU/Linux systems</a>. </p> ( F n! z6 }$ J$ Z M* M \1 w+ r
<p><acronym>GNU</acronym> is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not Unix”; it is pronounced <em>guh-noo</em>, approximately like <em>canoe</em>.</p> 0 b2 G" m& j! J4 j* w) u E( v
<h3>What is Free Software?</h3> - d0 v# @' K! c) t+ p8 m m# [
<p>“<a href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">Free software</a>” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech”, not as in “free beer”.</p> + M' }# s- m' F' m' P% W
<p>Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:</p> % j/ P' B# Q9 w7 ^ P p5 D* `+ M8 m
<ul> 7 y" P: T7 u$ y
<li>The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). </li> 9 n+ |8 s6 L, u7 m
<li>The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. </li> * z' @+ x4 y* ^! J) n
<li>The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). </li> , k1 { Z+ T, w9 Q( C
<li>The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. </li> % k, E" p( M1 Y( w0 s- _' ^
</ul> ; y( w) b5 @8 G, R6 e( t: N
<h3>What is the Free Software Foundation?</h3> 4 }6 t3 S6 u/ Y7 S
<p>The <a href="http://www.fsf.org/">Free Software Foundation</a> (<abbr title="Free Software Foundation">) is the principal organizational sponsor of the Project. The receives very little funding from corporations or grant-making foundations, but relies on support from individuals like you. </abbr>) is the principal organizational sponsor of the Project. The receives very little funding from corporations or grant-making foundations, but relies on support from individuals like you. </p> 8 ?$ k# J0 Z$ l, u4 G5 @
<p>Please consider helping the <abbr>by , or by . If you use Free Software in your business, you can also consider or as a way to support the . </abbr>by , or by . If you use Free Software in your business, you can also consider or as a way to support the . </p> ) W% q* m. S5 p- y$ g
<p>The <acronym>GNU</acronym> project supports the mission of the <abbr>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 on the Internet, , and the unimpeded by private monopolies. You can also learn more about these issues in the book . </abbr>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 on the Internet, , and the unimpeded by private monopolies. You can also learn more about these issues in the book . </p> 8 I3 F6 { y( l" j
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