[SC.LUG] FW: FSF announces release of gNewSense 1.0

[Richard Smedley]

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BOSTON, November 2, 2006 - Free Software Foundation announces
release of gNewSense version 1.0.

(Screenshots available at http://www.fsf.org/news/gnewsense)

gNewSense (http://www.gnewsense.org) is a free software GNU/Linux
distribution created by two Irish free software advocates, Brian
Brazil and Paul O'Malley, and is based on the Ubuntu and Debian
distributions. The goal of gNewSense is to provide users with a
software package that offers the stability of Ubuntu with the
addition of freedom.

In announcing the release of version 1.0, the gNewSense developers
stated, "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."

With the avowed goal of providing a completely free distribution
- one without non-free kernel binary "blobs" or any other non-free
software, the Free Software Foundation has announced sponsorship
of the project. 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 gone, this distribution is the most advanced
GNU/Linux distribution that has a commitment to be 100% free."

gNewSense will provide users with full security updates and is
available for immediate download in LiveCD ISO format along with
a version of the Ubiquity graphical installer. Furthermore, 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.

The Free Software Foundation is providing the gNewSense team with
a high end build machine (running with a free BIOS), with bandwidth
and with assistance in developing artwork. 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 the following:

*  Developers;
*  Website Maintainers;
*  Graphic Artists;
*  Freedom verifiers to monitor package additions and mailing lists;
*  Documentation Writers.

To volunteer, please, sign on at irc.freenode.net and /join #gnewsense.
You can also join the mailing list via the project website
http://www.gnewsense.org/

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About the Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to
promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and
redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development
and use of free (as in freedom) software - particularly the GNU
operating system and its GNU/Linux variants - and free documentation
for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the
ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software.
Their Web site, located at www.fsf.org, is an important source of
information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support their work can be
made at http://fsf.org/join They are headquartered in Boston, MA, USA.

Press contact:
To schedule an interview with the developers of gNewSense, please
contact Ted Teah at the Free Software Foundation (+1 617-542-5942)
or Peter Brown (+1 617-542-5942) or email pr at fsf.org
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--
John Sullivan
Program Administrator        | Phone: (617)542-5942 x23
51 Franklin Street, 5th Fl.  | Fax:   (617)542-2652
Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA    | GPG:   AE8600B6



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