GNU Free System Distribution Guidelines (GNU FSDG)

The Free Software Foundation can't recommend Debian GNU/Hurd or the Arch distribution; we must suppose that they don't meet our freedom standards any more than Debian GNU/Linux and the Arch distribution based on the Linux kernel do. Likewise we have not evaluated other GNU/Hurd distributions in regard to ethical criteria. Please visit http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html to learn what those standards are.

Working distributions of GNU/Hurd:

GNU/Hurd distributions in early stages of development:

Defunct GNU/Hurd distributions:

  • Bee GNU/Hurd. Castellano distribution, pkgsrc package based.
  • GNU
  • Unofficial port to Gentoo and the portage system. It was announced March 17, 2003 in the Gentoo forums, but development stopped at some point.

    IRC, freenode, #hurd, 2013-01-15:

    <WhiteKIBA> we are trying to revive Gentoo/hurd
    <WhiteKIBA> we are using debian as a start
    <WhiteKIBA> we installed portage on debian and are now bootstrapping
      the system into a folder
    <WhiteKIBA> except glibc everything seems fine 
    <_d3f> braunr: http://wiki.rout0r.org/index.php/Gentoo/Hurd/en - if you
      want to know more.
    

    IRC, freenode, #hurd, 2013-02-01:

    <WhiteKIBA> natsukao: http://wiki.rout0r.org/index.php/Gentoo/Hurd/en I
      am working on it
    <WhiteKIBA> if i can get glibc to compile correctly i can create a
      stage3 but at the moment it fails
    

    IRC, freenode, #hurd, 2013-02-02:

    <alexxy> WhiteKIBA: you may be interested in my try to run gentoo/hurd
    <alexxy> WhiteKIBA:
      http://omrb.pnpi.spb.ru/gitweb/?p=gentoo/hurd.git;a=summary
    

Using

Debian after install instructions are a must-read to prepare an usable system.

Package troubleshooting reports known bugs, quirks and workarounds about getting applications to work (if possible).

For Developers

?SavannahProjects
Savannah is a CVS & Bug system evolved from a free version of the code that powers sourceforge.net. It has forked and been slightly modified for use by FSF, GNU and non-GNU projects. Actual Development takes place here. There is also a help wanted list.
guidelines FAQ
What does it take to move a piece of Debian packaged software to the GNU/Hurd port?

Misc.