This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. |
Funtoo is a free operating system, based on Gentoo, and initiated in 2008 by Daniel Robbins.[1]
| Funtoo | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Daniel Robbins, Funtoo/Gentoo community, Funtoo Technologies |
| OS family | GNU variants |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Free Software |
| Initial release | 2008 |
| Latest release | Rolling release |
| Update method | Emerge |
| Package manager | Portage |
| Supported platforms | IA-32, x86-64 |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux) |
| Userland | GNU |
| Default user interface | various |
| License | Various |
| Official website | http://www.funtoo.org/ |
History
In early 2008, Gentoo founder Daniel Robbins proposed to resolve[2] the Gentoo Foundation problems.[3] But he had left the project in 2004, and his offer was refused.[4] The Funtoo project was born as an initiative to implement his vision, with aims to share innovations.
The Hacker Spirit and the Free Software Philosophy
Funtoo can be defined as a especial-focused distribution, with a bazaar-style development model, where each hacker can make a difference. Hackers can have fun too due to the free software nature of the project.[5][citation needed]
GNU/Linux
Funtoo is a source based GNU/Linux distribution.
Bazaar-style development
Funtoo's model is quite different from Gentoo's development process; there is no structure to impose rules, just the project leader with strong qualifications, and hackers free to hack on what they like. The source code is available online[6] and development discussed on IRC and dev mailing list.[7] Code goes upstream if it solves problems that matter to hackers.
Changes are sometimes announced in advance, and as they occur via an Atom feed. This allows for easy tracking of issues, and new core packages. Also, when something big happens, the Funtoo project leader will announce in advance the users for any migration or something that may require a specific procedure.
Core technologies
Funtoo has several critical changes, or major software packages which are unique to it.
Git
Funtoo utilizes Git to store the Portage tree. This method has been described as superior to Gentoo's current system of utilizing rsync.[8]
Metro
Metro[9] is an automatable software package for building stages used in installing Funtoo.
boot-update
boot-update[10] provides a unified mechanism for configuring the GRUB 1.9x (sys-boot/grub) and GRUB 0.97 (sys-boot/grub-legacy) boot loaders.
Core Networking
Funtoo has an added simplified core networking solution to allow users to easily create complex network interfaces based on pre-created profiles.[11]
XZ
Funtoo switched from bz2 to xz compression in July 2010[12]
Linux
Although Funtoo is a source-based distribution, it should be possible to use a Linux kernel binary version[13] at some point in the future. For now, Daniel Robbins proposes the use of the Sabayon Linux kernel.[14]
Notes & References
- ^ With the aim to make Gentoo « more distributed, [and] collaborative ».
- ^ Daniel Robbins, on January 11, 2008.
- ^ The Gentoo Foundation loses its status in the end of 2007.
- ^ Daniel Robbins' offer refused by the community.
- ^ Funtoo project goals.
- ^ They have a lot of mirrors available like this one.
- ^ funtoo-dev mailing list.
- ^ http://docs.funtoo.org/wiki/Funtoo_Linux
- ^ http://www.funtoo.org/en/metro/tutorial/
- ^ http://www.funtoo.org/en/funtoo/core/boot/
- ^ http://funtoo.org/en/funtoo/core/networking/
- ^ http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/funtoo/funtoo/i686/
- ^ Linux binary version.
- ^ Sabayon Linux kernel.