BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions)
Bharat Operating System Solutions (BOSS) is a free and open source Linux distribution
developed by the National Resource Centre for Free/Open Source Software (NRCFOSS) of
India. BOSS GNU/Linux is also known by the acronym BOSS. The latest version is 5.0 .
This software package has been described as "India's own PC operating system" and "the most
meaningful product to come out of the Indian software industry in decades and a work that a
government department had done"
The software has also been endorsed by the Government of India for adoption and
implementation on a national scale] It was developed at Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing (CDAC), Chennai INDIA. BOSS GNU/Linux is an "LSB certified" Linux
distribution: the software has been certified by the Linux Foundation for compliance with the
Linux Standard Base standard. BOSS GNU/Linux is derived from Debian GNU/Linux.
BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions) GNU/Linux distribution developed by C-DAC
(Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) derived from Debian for enhancing the use of
Free/ Open source software throughout India. BOSSGNU/Linux - a key deliverable of
NRCFOSS has upgraded from entry-level server to advanced server. It supports Intel and AMD
x86/x86-64 architecture. BOSS GNU/Linux advanced server has unique features] such as web
server, proxy server, database server, mail server, network server, file and print server, SMS
server, LDAP server. BOSS GNU/Linux advanced server comprises administration tools such as
webmin which is a web-based interface, Gadmin, PHP myadmin, PHP LDAP admin, PG admin.
The accessibility of BOSS Linux will have a constructive impact on the digital divide in India[as
more people can now have access to software in their local language to use the Internet and other
information and communications technology (ICT) facilities. Community Information centers
(CICs) and internet cafes will also benefit from BOSS GNU/Linux as this software can be
utilized to power these outlets and is affordable and easy to install, use and support.
BOSS 4.0 is coupled with GNOME and KDE Desktop Environment with wide Indian language
support and packages, relevant for use in the government domain. Currently BOSS GNU/Linux
Desktop is available in almost all the Indian Languages such as Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati,
Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Bodo, Urdu,
Kashmiri, Maithili, Konkani, Manipuri which will enable the mainly non-English literate users in
the country to be exposed to ICT and to use the computer more effectively.
BOSS 5.0 codenamed anokha, comes with many new applications mainly focused on enhanced
Security and User friendliness.The distribution includes over 12800 new packages, for a total of
over 37493 packages. Most of the software in the distribution has been updated: over 20160
software packages (this is 70% of all packages in savir). BOSS 5.0 supports Linux Standard Base
(LSB) version 4.1 The new version features XBMC Media center to allow the user to easily
browse and view videos, photos, podcasts, and music from a harddrive, optical disc, local
network, and the internet.
BOSS 6.0 (Anoop)
The latest Release of BOSS GNU/Linux Version 6.0 codenamed as Anoop , is coupled with
GNOME Desktop Environment 3.14 version with wide Indian language support & packages,
relevant for use in the Government domain. This release aims more at enhancing the user
interface with more glossy themes and Tab like look and feel on the desktop by coupling latest
applications from the community.
BOSS Linux 6.0 features the latest Kernel 3.16, Supports Intel 32 bit & 64 bit architectures, a 3D
desktop environment, Graphic installer, Office application software suite Libreoffice , Internet
access software (Firefox , email, chat etc.), and file sharing / converter and multimedia
applications. This release comes with improved Desktop appealing features that includes
Contacts , Documents , Maps , Photos and Music. The All-in-one Notification area notifies the
user about Brightness , Networking , System settings all under the same menu.
The desktop comes with a on-screen keyboard with Indian language support. The Smart
Common Input Method tool provides input mechanism for Indian languages with Unicode 7.0
support. The Orca Screenreader and Magnifier & E-Speak applications helps the people with
visual impairments for using the BOSS desktop. The Bulk document converter helps people to
easily migrate from other Operating system to BOSS GNU / Linux.
Currently BOSS GNU/Linux Desktop supports all the Official Indian Languages such as
Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit,
Tamil, Telugu, Bodo, Urdu, Kashmiri, Maithili, Konkani, Manipuri which will enable the mainly
non-English literate users in the country to be exposed to ICT and to use the computer more
effectively.
Versions
BOSS GNU/Linux is available in the following languages of India:
Assamese Bengali Bodo
Gujarati Hindi
Kannada Kashmiri Konkani Maithili Malayalam
Manipuri Marathi Oriya
Punjabi Tamil
Telugu
Persian sanskrit
Urdu
Arabic
The languages that are not available are Nepali, Sindhi, Dogri [Pahari].
Boss Linux 5.0 Desktop Environment
Developer
NRCFOSS / CDAC, India
OS family
Unix-like
Working state
Current
Source model
Open source
Initial release
January 10, 2007
Latest release
5.0 / August 2013
Marketing target General purpose
Available in
Multilingual (more than 18)
Package manager dpkg
Platforms
x86[1]
Kernel type
Monolithic (Linux)
Userland
GNU
Default user interface GNOME and KDE]
Free software licenses
License
(mainly GPL)
Official website
www.bosslinux.in
