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About GoldenDog Linux

Hello! I'm Alexia, the creator of GoldenDog Linux. My journey with Linux and Mac began over 27 years ago, and that experience is the foundation of this project.

The Story Behind the Name​

GoldenDog Linux is born from nostalgia and respect. In the past, when my PowerPC (PPC) Macs approached the end of their lifecycle, I found new life for them using a legendary distribution called YellowDog Linux. It was a project I grew to love and even contribute to.

When the YellowDog project was eventually canceled and Apple moved to Intel (and later Apple Silicon), I felt a strong desire to bring that spirit back. However, "YellowDog" was a registered trademark. As a tribute to that beloved project—and in honor of my own pet Golden Retriever—GoldenDog Linux was born.

From CentOS to Debian​

The first versions of GDL were built on CentOS 7, but I quickly pivoted to a Debian base. The reasoning was simple: Debian offers unparalleled software and driver support, making it a more versatile platform for everyday use.

Today, GoldenDog releases follow the Debian Stable cycle:

  • GoldenDog 1: (Internal test version) Based on Debian 12.
  • GoldenDog 2: (Current) Based on Debian 13 "Trixie".
  • GoldenDog 3: (Future) Will be based on Debian 14.

We use official Debian repositories with security patches and backports enabled by default. This ensures you have the rock-solid stability of Debian with the flexibility to install newer kernels and software when you need them.

The Future: GoldenDog Server​

With the full refactor of GoldenDog 2, I am finally working on a long-time goal: GoldenDog Server.

Currently on the drawing board, the server variant will focus on:

  • Minimal Footprint: Only the absolute essentials.
  • Enhanced Security: Pre-configured firewalls and extra security hardening.
  • Deployment Presets: Intelligent suggestions for specialized roles. Whether you're setting up a web server (Nginx/Apache with PHP/Python) or a Kubernetes node, GoldenDog will offer optimized presets to get you running faster.

More than just an OS​

What started as a personal Debian rebuild has grown into something I hope others find useful. Whether you're a developer, a gamer, or both, GoldenDog is designed to be your reliable companion.

By building GoldenDog, I also hope to contribute back to the Debian ecosystem—a community and philosophy I deeply love.

Thank you for being part of the pack! 🐶