Due to the Linux kernel rapidly proceeding down an unstable path, we are planning on implementing a completely new OS derived from several BSD implementations.
This was not an easy decision to make, but we wish to use our time and resources to create a viable alternative to the current operating system trends which are actively seeking to undermine user choice and freedom.
This will not be a "distro", but a hard fork of the OpenBSD kernel and userspace including new code written under GPLv3 and LGPLv3 to replace GPL-incompatible parts and non-free ones.
Reasons for this include:
- Linux kernel forcing adaption of DRM, including HDCP.
- Linux kernel proposed usage of Rust (which contains freedom flaws and a centralized code repository that is more prone to cyber attack and generally requires internet access to use.)
- Linux kernel being written without security and in mind. (KSPP is basically a dead project and Grsec is no longer free software)
- Many GNU userspace and core utils are all forcing adaption of features without build time options to disable them. E.g. (PulseAudio / SystemD / Rust / Java as forced dependencies)
As such, we will continue to support the Milky Way branch until 2022 when our legacy Linux-libre kernel reaches End of Life.
Future versions of Hyperbola will be using HyperbolaBSD which will have the new kernel, userspace and not be ABI compatible with previous versions.
HyperbolaBSD is intended to be modular and minimalist so other projects will be able to re-use the code under free license.