The SimpleNIX project is not an operating system… yet it's virtually all Linux operating systems.
Allow me to explain…

With the exception of a few non-Linux system names out there (Berkley/BSD or Unix based, Apple/Mac and Windows based) all of the remaining operating systems run under a Linux foundation which is made up of three main ingredients:

• The Boot Loader and Kernel (The Brain)
• The “core” or shell level applications (The Heart)
• and “extensions” or applications as some refer (The Body)

Extensions can consist of tiny tools or entire desktop components, each being one of many ingredients in the creation of a Linux based operating system tailor made to your specific needs.
The problem? Not knowing which Linux distribution fits those needs. If Any!
This is where the SimpleNIX project comes in.

First and foremost, it does not matter whether or not you're running an existing operating system on your machine. For most hardware created since year 2000 there's a method listed in the wiki which will guide you through how you can boot your existing computer with a custom Linux package that's tailored to your needs no matter what your experience level with Linux currently is… without modifying¹⁾ or risking your existing operating system while running it!

Secondly, you do not need to have any programming skills nor do you need much more than basic knowledge of how to operate your machine, which it's likely safe to assume you know this much since you're reading this page! However, there's a trove of knowledge waiting to be learned, most of which is quite simple for a novice, should you someday wish to do so!

Finally, the main difference between your computer and the person down the street from you is hardware. This is the main problem people have when dipping their toes into the Linux world - getting their specific hardware to work under a given operating system - even Windows! Our process is going to walk you through a small questionnaire to try to guide you through how you can find out what you have under the hood which in turn, will help us with your tailoring. The more effort you spend in this area, the more “supported” your build will be²⁾. Not sure what you have? That's okay, too! We have a specific build geared toward anyone answering “I'm not sure.”

If you're new to Linux or still deciding whether or not it's safe to use or simply if it's “worth” doing, look to your top-left and click on the Introduction link and basque in a short Fact or Fiction methodology of what Linux is… and what it is not. Rumors, anti-marketing schemes and just people who don't like “change” have given everything out there a reason for people to fear what they're not already being spoon-fed by social acceptance. We have nothing to gain by leading you astray, adding “fluff” to make something look better than it is or hiding facts to avoid something looking less than ideal.
If you still have questions, you are always welcome to hop back over to the forum and ask away! Free of charge! You don't find that level of support too many places these days!

1. What is the current version of Simple Linux?
   • That's easy to answer! It's always ZERO! Because of what we do and how we do it, there are no “versions” to deal with in a sense like you're used to with everyone else. You are in charge of versioning based on your needs and extension choices. That said, there's no such thing as an “End of Life” as is the case with most other operating systems.
2. How can you not “End of Life?”
   • Your chosen KERNEL, CORE and EXTENSIONS determine everything you do and choices you have from there. If you have an extension you want to use but it requires KERNEL 6, you'll be given the option to make the necessary changes to your system to accommodate your needs. In some cases, you may find that in order to support a really old extension you may actually have to DOWN-grade one or more items… the system will do all of the checks to see if it's possible to match up all three foundation components to make your system capable of supporting what you're after!
3. Can Simple Linux get viruses?
   • Legally I have to say “anything digital and online can, in one fashion or another, become infected with something.” HOWEVER, we can walk you through a few very basic steps on how to make it “almost impossible.”
4. What about Ransomware?
   • Follow our mini-virtual-security-seminar which is a very easy, very inexpensive set of methods on how to prevent ransom-anything online. Follow our guide and a Ransom is virtually impossible.
5. How safe is my information?
   • We ask for nothing identifying about you what-so-ever to use SimpleNIX. Ever! To join the Forum, we ask for basic contact information (the real stuff), a name, nick-name or alias you want to be seen as online and the option to leave details regarding your computer(s) for if/when you need assistance and the Wiki doesn't ask for anything as it's incorporated with the Forum. On your computer, if you were to install SimpleNIX or just boot it from USB or CD media, we have no clue if you're running one machine or thirty, 5 weeks old or 15 years old, etc. but SAFE INFORMATION also means you're in charge of KEEPING it that way! All personal content you want to KEEP should be stored in a BACKUP fashion so that in the event of hardware failure of any kind, your information REMAINS safe!
6. How old can my computer be to run Simple Linux?
   • I'm going to recommend “Pentium” or newer (let's use year 2000 as a safety) but technically you should be able to get away with a 486DX2 (with math co-processor) with at very least 16MB of memory but also bare in mind that a machine this old cannot be expected to run today's extensions or pull in today's online websites at even “good” speeds compared to newer technology. Intel 80386 and older technology has already been removed from our support catalog. 80486 hardware is expected to be discontinued at the end of 2025. 80586 with 256MB RAM is going to become the standard minimum at that time and likely remain there for a good number of years to come assuming the KERNEL continues to support it.
7. My computer doesn't boot from USB and the CD drive doesn't work. How do I start Simple Linux?
   • I'm sorry to say, this is a common question but a computer repair shop is in order as you need at least one of the two options working. If you have the tools and skills you could install SimpleNIX from another machine onto a hard drive, then install that hard drive into the dysfunctional computer, but for most people this is not a viable option.
8. How much does Simple Linux cost?
   • There is no financial requirement to download or use SimpleNIX. Third party extensions in our repository fall under one of many Open Source license structures and all of our repository extensions are compiled in-house on a special network for exactly that purpose. If you use an application from a third party which is not supported directly by our repository you do so at your own risk and should they charge for services, software or licensing such applications are not supported by our staff. Donations of hardware or in monetary form are always welcome, but not required. Emails or messages claiming to be from SimpleNIX asking for either should be reported immediately.
9. I found an application I'd like to have supported; what do I do?
   • If you find a third party application which also offers Open Source licensing and you would like to see it in our repository, please feel free to open an Extension Request back on the Forum! We're happy to have as many authors out there as part of our extension family!
   • If you find a third party application which only offers binary downloads, submit an Extension Request and we'll investigate to see if they're willing to work within our repository and licensing guidelines. If they charge a fee for their software, odds are against them complying.
   • If you are an author and would like to submit your own extensions, please feel free to open an Extension Request! Source code must be provided through an online system; versioning must exist in a fashion which we can determine and choose from (such as Git Tags) and a template will be provided for compilation purposes. We do not accept binaries nor can we usually accept source code via email or posts.