| FSF debuts fully-free Ubuntu/Debian variant |
Nov. 02, 2006
 The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has unveiled a new Linux distribution, free of the proprietary software contained in most Linuxes. gNewSense is based on Ubuntu and Debian, and offers users "the stability of Ubuntu with the addition of freedom," developers Brian Brazil and Paul O'Malley said.
"From a philosophical perspective we wanted to create a GNU/Linux distribution where the user has access to all the sources for all software on the system. This includes everything from the heart of the kernel through to the everyday desktop applications," Brazil and O'Malley stated.
Both Debian and Ubuntu, however, already try to avoid the use of proprietary software. Indeed, the Debian Project recently decided to rename and rebrand Firefox to IceWeasel on the grounds that the official Firefox logo was proprietary.
At this time, Debian still does contain some proprietary software, in both the current Sarge distribution and in the upcoming Etch distribution. The Debian developers felt that they had no choice but to do this, because there is no open-source replacement for some proprietary device firmware contained within the Debian kernel packages. Without these binary "blobs," many WiFi and graphic drivers will not work at all, or at a minimal level, on Linux.
Nevertheless, the Debian developer community remains determined to root out proprietary firmware. In its decision to release Etch with proprietary firmware, the Debian Project declared that while "We give priority to the timely release of Etch over sorting every bit out" they would still "treat removal of sourceless firmware as a best-effort process."
In the case of Ubuntu, the developers use the Debian code, but have divided software into four different components.
"Main" primarily consists of supported open-source software, but also includes proprietary firmware and fonts. This is roughly equivalent to Debian's code. The proprietary programs, however, must be governed by a license that makes them free to distribute.
Ubuntu also supports some proprietary software that is not part of the kernel in a component called "Restricted." This is software, like the NVIDA and ATI graphics card drivers, that can not be freely distributed. The Ubuntu developers have also made special arrangements in a subset of Restricted known as "Commercial." These are proprietary programs, such as the Opera web browser and the RealPlayer media player, which Ubuntu has received permission to distribute to Ubuntu users.
Finally, Ubuntu includes the "Universe" and "Multiverse" categories. These contain non-supported open-source software, and non-supported proprietary programs, respectively.
gNewSense's bootup splash screen
gNewSense's desktop
(Click to enlarge)
gNewSense, however, eschews these compromises. This project's goal is to provide a completely free distribution -- one without non-free kernel binary "blobs" or any other non-free software.
Specifically, in its first release, gNewSense has removed the firmware from kernel the kernel, removed access to the Ubuntu Restricted component, replaced the Ubuntu logos, enabled the Universe component by default and made emacs, bsdgames, nethack, and build-essential part of the default install.
Ted Teah, FSF's free software directory maintainer explained, "With all the kernel firmware and restricted repositories removed, and the reliance on Ubuntu's proprietary distribution management tool Launchpad gone, this distribution is the most advanced GNU/Linux distribution that has a commitment to be 100% free."
The developers agree, but add that their "goal is to produce a fully free distribution, not to have as many features as possible."
gNewSense is available for immediate download in LiveCD ISO format along with a version of the Ubiquity graphical installer. The distribution will provide users with full security updates, according to the project.
In addition, the gNewSense team has created a set of software called Builder which allows users to create their own gNewSense-based distributions. gNewSense provides detailed instructions on how to use the software and the recipe to roll out a customized distro.
FSF is providing the gNewSense team with a high-end build machine (running with a free BIOS), with download/upload bandwidth, and with assistance in developing artwork.
Additionally, the FSF plans to aid widespread adoption of the distribution and, with the release of gNewSense 1.0, is making a call for volunteers who have the skills to act as developers, website maintainers, graphic artists, documentation writers, and "Freedom verifiers" to monitor package additions and mailing lists. Volunteers are encouraged to sign on at irc.freenode.net and /join #gnewsense. You can also join the mailing list at the gNewSense project website.
You can download your own completely free copy of the live CD distribution iso here.
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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