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Trisquel

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Trisquel GNU/Linux
BERJAYA
BERJAYA
Trisquel 12.0 desktop
DeveloperThe Trisquel Project[1] and Sognus, S.L.U.
OS familyUnix-like (Linux)
Working stateCurrent[2]
Source modelFree software
Initial releaseJanuary 30, 2007; 19 years ago (2007-01-30)[3]
Latest release12.0[4] / April 11, 2026; 3 months ago (2026-04-11)
Repository
Marketing targetHome users, small enterprises, education[1]
Update methodLong-term support
Package managerAPT, Synaptic (GTK+ frontend), dpkg
Supported platformsx86-64, IA-32, ARM, POWER9[5]
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux-libre[6])
UserlandGNU
Default
user interface
Official websitetrisquel.info

Trisquel (full name Trisquel GNU/Linux) is a computer operating system, a Linux distribution, derived from another distribution, Ubuntu.[7] The project aims for a fully free software system without proprietary software or firmware and uses a version of Ubuntu's modified kernel, with the non-free code (binary blobs) removed.[8] Trisquel relies on user donations, as a non-profit group.[9] Its logo is a triskelion, a Celtic symbol.[10] Trisquel is listed by the Free Software Foundation as a distribution that contains only free software.[11]

Overview

[edit]

Four basic versions are available.[12][13]

Trisquel

[edit]

The standard Trisquel 12 distribution includes the MATE desktop environment and graphical user interface (GUI), and English, Spanish and 48 other localizations, 50 in total, on a 3.4 GB live DVD image. Other translations can be downloaded if an internet connection is present during installation[14].

It also has a torrent file to download version 12 of it[15], as well as other versions[14].

Trisquel Mini

[edit]

Trisquel Mini is an alternative to mainline Trisquel, designed to run well on netbooks and older hardware. It uses the low-resource environment LXDE and lightweight GTK+ and X Window System alternatives to GNOME and Qt-KDE applications.[16] The LXDE desktop only includes English and Spanish localizations, and can install from a 1.9 GB live DVD image.[14]

Triskel

[edit]

Triskel is another alternative to mainline Trisquel using the KDE Plasma 5 graphical interface[17], available as a 2.7 GB ISO DVD live image.[14]

Trisquel Sugar TOAST

[edit]

Sugar is a free and open source desktop environment designed with the goal of being used by children for interactive learning. Sugar replaces the standard MATE desktop environment available with Trisquel.[18]

Trisquel NetInstall

[edit]

NetInstall consists of a 79MB CD iso image with just the minimal amount of software to start the installation via a text based network installer and fetch the remaining packages over the Internet.[14]

Internationalization

[edit]

The full installation includes 51 languages (Albanian, Arabic, Aranese, Asturian, Basque, Bulgarian, Catalan, Central Khmer, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Esperanto, Estonian, Finnish, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Low German, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, Occitan, Punjabi, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Valencian and Vietnamese) pre-installed in a downloadable 3.4-gigabyte DVD image.[19]

Source code

[edit]

Source code for the full Trisquel 12 installation is also available in a downloadable of about 9-gigabyte tar file.[14]

The source code can also be obtained with a torrent file.[20]

History

[edit]

The project began in 2004 with sponsorship of the University of Vigo for Galician language support in education software and was officially presented in April 2005 with Richard Stallman, founder of the GNU Project, as a special guest.[21] According to project director Rubén Rodríguez, the support for Galician has created interest in South American and Mexican communities of emigrants from the Province of Ourense.[22]

By December 2008, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) had added Trisquel to its list of FSF-endorsed GNU/Linux distributions.[23]

Release history

[edit]
Legend:
Unsupported
Supported
Latest version
Future version
Version Code name Release date Supported until Kernel Desktop environment default Based on
Unsupported: 1.0 Arianrhod 2007-01-30[3] N/a Linux 2.6.18.6 GNOME 2.14 Debian 4.0 (Etch)
Unsupported: 2.0 LTS Robur 2008-07-24[24] 2014-03-02[25][26] Linux 2.6.24 GNOME 2.22 Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron)
Unsupported: 3.0 STS Dwyn 2009-09-08[27] 2011-05-11[25][28] Linux-libre 2.6.28 GNOME 2.26 Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)
Unsupported: 3.5 STS Awen 2010-03-22[29] 2011-07-14[25][30] Linux-libre 2.6.31 GNOME 2.28 Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)
Unsupported: 4.0 LTS Taranis 2010-09-18[31] 2015[32] Linux-libre 2.6.32 GNOME 2.30 Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx)
Unsupported: 4.5 STS Slaine 2011-03-24[33] 2012-09-15[25][34] Linux-libre 2.6.35 GNOME 2.32 Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat)
Unsupported: 5.0 STS Dagda 2011-09-17[35] 2014-03-02[25][26] Linux-libre 2.6.38 GNOME 2.32 Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal)
Unsupported: 5.5 STS Brigantia 2012-04-16[36] 2014-03-02[25][26] Linux-libre 3.0 GNOME 3.2 Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot)
Unsupported: 6.0 LTS Toutatis 2013-03-09[37] 2017[37] Linux-libre 3.2 GNOME 3.4 Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin)
Unsupported: 7.0 LTS Belenos 2014-11-03[38] 2019[38] Linux-libre 3.13 GNOME 3.12 Ubuntu 14.04 LTS (Trusty Tahr)
Unsupported: 8.0 LTS Flidas[39] 2018-04-18 2021[40] Linux-libre 4.4 MATE 1.12 Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus)
Unsupported: 9.0 LTS Etiona[41] 2020-10-16[42] 2023-04[43] Linux-libre 4.15 MATE 1.20 Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Bionic Beaver)
Unsupported: 10.0 LTS Nabia[44] 2022-02-01[45] 2025-05[46] Linux-libre 5.4 MATE 1.24 Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa)
Supported: 11.0 LTS Aramo[47] 2023-03-19[48] 2027-06-01[49] Linux-libre 5.15 MATE 1.26 Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)
Latest version: 12.0 LTS Ecne[50] 2026-04-11[51] 2029-05-31[52] Linux-libre 6.8 MATE 1.26.2 Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat)

    The releases that use GNOME 3.x use GNOME Flashback, rather than the default GNOME Shell. Starting with version 6, Trisquel is based on the LTS Version of Ubuntu.[53]

    The current version includes this common software pre-installed:[54][55]

    CategoryTypeNameNotes
    InternetWeb browserAbrowserRebranded Firefox.* Never suggests non-free add-ons. No trademarked art or names. Privacy enhancing mods†
    InternetEmail, PIMIceDoveRebranded Thunderbird. Never suggests non-free add-ons. No trademarked art or names.
    InternetInstant messengerPidginEnd-to-end encrypted, multi-protocol incl. IRC, XMPP
    InternetCryptocurrency walletElectrumfor Bitcoin, Lightning Network
    InternetVideoconferencingJamiAlso VOIP
    InternetNews aggregatorLifereaNews feeds & podcasts via RSS/RDF & Atom
    OfficeWord processorLibreOffice WriterAlso desktop publishing
    OfficeSpreadsheetLibreOffice Calc
    OfficePresentationLibreOffice Impress
    OfficeVector graphics editorLibreOffice Draw
    GraphicsRaster graphics editorGIMP
    Sound & VideoDisc-burningBrasero
    Sound & VideoWebcamCheese
    Sound & VideoMusic / audio playerRhythmboxRips CDs, syncs w/ digital music players, etc
    Sound & VideoVideo playerVLCPlays QuickTime, DVD, Blu-ray, etc. Also plays audio formats.

    *Rebranded because the Mozilla Trademark Policy forbids modifications that include their trademark without consent.[56]
    †Such as never starting network connections on its own.[57]

    Also includes pre-installed software for remote desktop operations, photo/image viewing, document and photo input via scanner, games (such as solitaire, Minesweeper, chess, Mahjongg, and Sudoku), and for adding and removing more software[58] (both Synaptic[59] and a more simplified front-end called "Add/Remove Applications" offering a curated list of the most popular apps[60]), etc. etc.

    Prior editions:

    BERJAYA
    Trisquel LTSP classroom server, managed via iTALC.
    • Trisquel Pro was business-oriented and small. It was part of the Trisquel 2.0 LTS Robur (2008), but no other release followed.[62]
    • Trisquel Edu was education-oriented, for schools and universities. Like Trisquel Pro, no other release followed Trisquel 2.0 Robur (2008).[63]
    • Trisquel on Sugar was education-oriented, based on the Sugar desktop environment for interactive learning for children. It was released at the same time as Trisquel 7.
    • Trisquel Gamer was an independent edition maintained by David Zaragoza. It included 55 free software games and could boot from a live DVD or USB drive. It was released with Trisquel 3.5 (2010), which is no longer supported.[64]

    Reception

    [edit]
    BERJAYA
    Trisquel 6 Desktop running GNOME Fallback Mode

    Jesse Smith of DistroWatch reviewed the 4.0 release, Taranis, and described it as refined and dependable. He portrayed difficulty with removing software as his main problem with the release. He complimented it as an operating system that showcased utility instead of mere compliance with free software criteria.[7]

    Jim Lynch of Desktop Linux Reviews reviewed the 5.5 release, Brigantia, and described it as "well-ordered and well developed" and recommended it to users whether they care about only using free software or not. Lynch stated that the release was suitable for beginners and advanced users.[65]

    Chris Fisher and Matt Hartley of The Linux Action Show! praised the design, ease of use, and hardware support of Trisquel 5.5 and Trisquel 5.5 Mini, but found that the Linux-libre kernel found in Trisquel impedes functionality of proprietary wireless devices. They argued that the distribution was targeting power users and that new users should use a different distribution.[66]

    Jesse Smith also reviewed Trisquel 7.0 in 2014, writing "Whenever I boot up Trisquel I find myself wondering whether the free software only distribution will be able to hold its own when it comes to hardware drivers, multimedia support and productivity software. The answer I came to when running Trisquel 7.0 is that, yes, the distribution appears to be nearly as capable as operating systems that do not stick to the FSF's definition of free software. Some people who use hardware that requires binary blobs or non-free drivers may face problems and Flash support isn't perfect when using the free Gnash player, but otherwise Trisquel appears to be every bit as functional as other mainstream Linux distributions. The software Trisquel ships with appears to be stable, functional and user friendly. The distribution is easy to install, I found it pleasant to use and I didn't encounter any problems. People who value or wish to promote free software should definitely try running Trisquel, it's an excellent example of what can be accomplished with free software."[67]

    Jack M. Germain of Tech News World said of the 9.0, release, Etiona: "Trisquel Linux is one of those computing staples you wished you knew about much sooner. This Linux distribution has been around literally for years and is extremely polished." and "Trisquel offers a family of Linux editions that meet or exceed the needs of home users, small enterprises, and educational centers. Trisquel can also be an ideal platform for multimedia workstations."[12]

    Smith then reviewed the 11.0 release, Aramo, in 2023, opining: "Trisquel is doing a great job presenting the world with what can be achieved by using free software only. However, using it also reminds me of the (sometimes harsh) limitations a free software only system imposes. ... This is, of course, the point of Trisquel, being a beacon of free-only software. People who download Trisquel probably are not interested in non-free components (software or hardware). This distribution offers a narrower path to walk, but it is a very smooth, pretty path."[58]

    Also reviewing Aramo, Jack Wallen of ZDNet complained of glitches during installation and criticized the use of an older kernel and a "boring" user interface, but concluded: "[i]f you want a rock-solid desktop distribution, and don't mind using UI that looks and feels like Windows from a bygone era, give Trisquel a try. If you want a reliable desktop with a more flexible (but still out-of-date) desktop, check out Triskel. Either way, they both offer Debian-like stability, with the additional option of a netinstall to land you with a server operating system that includes a similar reliability."[13]

    Richard Stallman has mentioned that he is using Trisquel on a Thinkpad X200 with GNU Boot as of 2022, and has previously used the Lemote Yeeloong.[68]

    Hardware

    [edit]

    IA-32 and x86-64 CPU architectures were supported since Trisquel 5.5, which includes free software compatible chipsets.[69] However, IA-32 support was dropped with the release of Trisquel 10.[70] Support for 32-bit ARM processors with a floating point unit (armhf) was added in the same release. 64-bit ARM and POWER support was added in Trisquel 11.0.[71]

    See also

    [edit]

    References

    [edit]
    1. 1 2 "Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!". trisquel.info. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
    2. ↑ "Download - Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!". trisquel.info. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    3. 1 2 The Trisquel Project (30 January 2007). "Publicación de Trisguel 1.0". trisquel.uvigo.es. Archived from the original on 3 February 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
    4. ↑ "Download". Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
    5. ↑ "Trisquel 11.0 "Aramo" release announcement". Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
    6. ↑ "Documentation". Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!. Archived from the original on 7 December 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
    7. 1 2 Smith, Jesse (4 October 2010). "Trisquel GNU/Linux - a free distribution". DistroWatch. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
    8. ↑ "How Trisquel is Made". Trisquel.info. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
    9. ↑ "Siete factores antes de usar 'software'" (in Spanish). El Comercio. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
    10. ↑ "How is "Trisquel" pronounced?". The Trisquel Project. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
    11. ↑ "List of Free GNU/Linux Distributions". Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
    12. 1 2 Germain, Jack M. (9 March 2021). "Trisquel Linux Wraps Polish and Productivity Into Four User Needs". Review. Tech News World. ECT News Network. Archived from the original on 23 September 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
    13. 1 2 Wallen, Jack (26 March 2025). "Trisquel Linux handles both your desktop and server needs - or does it?". ZDNet. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
    14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Download Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!". Archived from the original on 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
    15. ↑ "trisquel_12.0_amd64.iso.torrent". Retrieved 7 July 2026.
    16. ↑ "Trisquel Mini". The Trisquel Project. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
    17. ↑ "Trisquel 12.0 "Ecne" release announcement | Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!". trisquel.info. Archived from the original on 4 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
    18. ↑ "Editions". Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
    19. ↑ "Download | Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!". trisquel.info. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
    20. ↑ "trisquel_12.0_sources.tar.torrent". 11 December 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
    21. ↑ "Richard Stallman, defensor del software libre, sorprendió a los universitarios". La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). 28 April 2005. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
    22. ↑ García, Ana (17 May 2007). "Software libre da terra, compartindo cultura". El Progreso (in Galician). Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
    23. ↑ "Free GNU/Linux distributions". Free Software Foundation. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
    24. ↑ "Proxecto Trisquel" (in Galician). 24 July 2008. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Index of /trisquel/dists". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
    26. 1 2 3 "[Trisquel-announce] [Trisquel-devel] Robur, Dagda and Brigantia moved to oldarchive". 2 March 2014. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    27. ↑ "Trisquel 3.0 STS "Dwyn" has landed!". The Trisquel Project. 8 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    28. ↑ "[Trisquel-announce] Trisquel 3.0 STS Dwyn reaches end of life, 3.5 soon to follow". 11 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    29. ↑ "Trisquel 3.5 Awen release announcement". The Trisquel Project. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    30. ↑ "[Trisquel-devel] Trisquel 5.0 development repository up, 3.5 reaches end of life". 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    31. ↑ "Trisquel 4.0 LTS "Taranis" strikes!". The Trisquel Project. 18 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    32. ↑ "Versions". Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    33. ↑ "Trisquel 4.5 "Slaine" released". The Trisquel Project. 24 March 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    34. ↑ "[Trisquel-announce] Trisquel 4.5 Slaine reached end of life". 15 September 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    35. ↑ "Trisquel 5.0 Release announcement". The Trisquel Project. 17 September 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    36. ↑ "Trisquel 5.5 STS Brigantia release announcement". The Trisquel Project. 16 April 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    37. 1 2 "Trisquel 6.0 LTS "Toutatis" has arrived!". The Trisquel Project. 9 March 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
    38. 1 2 "Trisquel 7.0 LTS Belenos". The Trisquel Project. 3 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
    39. ↑ "Update config file for next Trisquel release". Trisquel at Gitlab. 22 February 2016. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
    40. ↑ "Trisquel 8.0 LTS Flidas". 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
    41. ↑ "Trisquel 9.0 development plans". 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
    42. ↑ "Release announcement: Trisquel 9.0.1 Etiona security update". Trisquel GNU/Linux - Run free!. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
    43. ↑ "Release announcement: Trisquel 9.0.1 Etiona security update". 15 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
    44. ↑ "Trisquel 10 name". 4 December 2020. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
    45. ↑ "Trisquel 10.0 Nabia release announcement". 1 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
    46. ↑ "Nabia". 4 March 2025.
    47. ↑ "Trisquel 11 Needs A Name". 1 February 2022. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
    48. ↑ "Trisquel 11.0 Aramo release announcement". 19 March 2023. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
    49. ↑ "Versions". 19 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
    50. ↑ "Trisquel 12 Needs A Name pt. 2". 28 February 2024. Archived from the original on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
    51. ↑ "Trisquel 12.0 Ecne release announcement". 11 April 2026.
    52. ↑ "Versions". 11 April 2026. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
    53. ↑ "2013-03-05 Meeting". Trisquel. 5 March 2013. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
    54. ↑ "Aramo". 16 March 2025.
    55. ↑ "About Trisquel: Applications". 28 December 2024. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
    56. ↑ "Mozilla Trademark Policy". Mozilla. 30 October 2009. Archived from the original on 28 January 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
    57. ↑ "Trisquel 8.0 LTS Flidas". Trisquel. 4 April 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
    58. 1 2 Smith, Jesse (17 April 2023). "Review: Trisquel GNU/Linux 11.0". DistroWatch.
    59. ↑ "Using "Synaptic Package Manager"". Archived from the original on 11 August 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
    60. ↑ "Using "Add/Remove Applications"".
    61. ↑ Baader, Hans-Joachim (20 September 2011). "Trisquel 5.0 veröffentlicht" [Trisquel 5.0 published] (in German). Pro-Linux. Archived from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
    62. ↑ "Trisquel Pro". The Trisquel Project. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
    63. ↑ "Trisquel Edu". The Trisquel Project. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
    64. ↑ Zaragoza, David. "Trisquel Gamer". The Trisquel Project. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
    65. ↑ Lynch, Jim (24 April 2012). "Trisquel 5.5". Desktop Linux Reviews. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
    66. ↑ Fisher, Chris; Hartley, Matt (2 September 2012). "Trisquel GNU/Linux Review - LAS - s23e05". Jupiter Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
    67. ↑ "Put the fun back into computing: Use Linux, BSD". DistroWatch. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
    68. ↑ Stallman, Richard. "Richard Stallman's personal site - How I do my computing". Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
    69. ↑ "ThinkPenguin". trisquel.info. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    70. ↑ "Trisquel 10.0 Nabia release announcement". trisquel.info. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
    71. ↑ "Trisquel 11.0 "Aramo" release announcement". Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
    [edit]
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