---
title: About
description: 
published: true
date: 2020-03-12T10:47:36.033Z
tags: documentation
---

# About

## What is OpenMandriva?
OpenMandriva Association was established on December 12, 2012 under 1901 French law.

It manages some free software projects including OpenMandriva Lx, a GNU/Linux operating system, that is a free alternative to the wide world known Microsoft Windows and Apple MacOS.

OpenMandriva is also the name of a worldwide community of people who are passionate about [free software](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software) and want to lead in the creation and spreading of free code & content by working together as a community.

## Why OpenMandriva?
We are a 100% community-driven association that believes in the values of free software & collaboration.

We fight to protect these values and promote solutions anyone can use, change and distribute. OpenMandriva believes in creating, improving, promoting and distributing free software in general, and its projects in particular. We also crave for promoting free exchange of knowledge and equality of opportunity in software access and development, as well as in education, science and research. Our products are developed with passion by the community and aim to be flexible in use by all.

OpenMandriva represents the paradigm: from community to community, with passion, fun and dedication.

## OpenMandriva Values
The founding values of OpenMandriva are development, equality, co-operation, openness, freedom, group achievement, independence, and solidarity.

These values reflect what we believe in and are the main identity of our community. They represent open development of software, equality between all the community members - from simple users to programmers to patrons - cooperation and solidarity between all. We all as a community will achieve our objectives and help to build products that are good for all.

## Things that Matter
There is much more to OpenMandriva that matters: its people and their expectations.

We would love to see you as part of this large family. So if you want to know a bit more about us please check the following links:

- Governance
- Community Pods
- How to contribute?