When people see that we use and recommend the name GNU/Linux for a system that many others call just “Linux”, they ask many questions. Here are common questions, and our answers.

Richard Stallman is the founder of the GNU Project, launched in 1984 to develop the free software operating system GNU. The name ``GNU'' is a recursive acronym for ``GNU's Not Unix''.

GNU is free software: everyone is free to copy it and redistribute it, as well as to make changes either large or small. Non-free software keeps users divided and helpless, forbidden to share it and unable to change it. A free operating system is essential for people to be able to use computers in freedom.

• Why do you call it GNU/Linux and not Linux?
• Why is the name important?
• How did it come about that most people call the system “Linux”?
• Should we always say “GNU/Linux” instead of “Linux”
• ...
  

There are so many more common questions on GNU/Linux regarding its' name and other technical concerns.

Click here to read the answers by the founder of GNU/Linux (Richard Stallman)