The Gentoo Linux operating system is a Linux distribution named after
the Gentoo penguin.
Gentoo was created by Daniel Robbins, a developer who had previously
crafted the Stampede and Enoch distributions. The first
version
of Gentoo was released in March 2002. Since then, new
releases
have been made 2 or 3 times every year. It is released under
the
GPL.
Gentoo uses a BSD ports-like system called Portage. Portage is a
package management system that allows great flexibility while
installing and maintaining software on a Gentoo system. It provides
compile-time option support, conditional dependencies, pre-package
installation summary, safe installation (through sandboxing) and
uninstallation of software, system profiles, configuration file
protection and other features. Release 2007.0 has over 8,000 software
packages included.
Gentoo 2007.0
Key Facts
Developer:
Gentoo
Foundation
Inc.
Price:
Entire
distribution
is available for download free of charge; 3rd party vendors sell CDs
for nominal sums
About Gentoo