synit-manual/src/introduction.md

# Synit is a Reactive Operating System

## Welcome!

Synit is an experiment in applying **pervasive reactivity** and **object capabilities** to the
[System Layer](./glossary.md#system-layer) of an operating system for personal computers,
including laptops, desktops, and mobile phones. Its [architecture](./architecture.md) follows
the principles of the [Syndicated Actor Model](./glossary.md#syndicated-actor-model).

Synit builds upon the Linux kernel, but replaces many pieces of
familiar Linux software, including `systemd`, `NetworkManager`,
`D-Bus`, and so on. It makes use of many concepts that will be
familiar to Linux users, but also incorporates many ideas drawn from
programming languages and operating systems not closely connected with
Linux's Unix heritage.

 - Project homepage: <https://synit.org/>
 - Source code: <https://git.syndicate-lang.org/synit/>

<!--

## Who should read these pages

These pages present information about Synit for a few different audiences.

 - To learn more about Synit and its foundations, you can read
    - an overview of its [architecture](./architecture.md),
    - [installation instructions](./install.md) for the system, and
    - an extensive [project glossary](./glossary.md).

 - For information on how to configure and use a Synit system, see the [User and Administration
   Guide](./operation/index.md), a nascent system handbook for Synit.

 - To learn about writing programs that integrate into Synit, see the [Programming Guide and
   Reference](./guide/index.md).

 - Finally, the section on [Specifications and Theory](./theory/index.md) digs deeper into some
   of the concepts underpinning Synit's architecture. This is also the section where you will
   find formal specification of the various protocols and data structures that make Synit
   interesting.

-->

## Quickstart

If you have a mobile phone or computer capable of running
[PostmarketOS](https://postmarketos.org/), then you can
[install](./install.md) the software to try it out. You can also run
Synit inside a virtual machine.

See the [installation instructions](./install.md) for a list of
supported devices.

## Acknowledgements

Much initial work on Synit was made possible by a generous grant from
the [NLnet Foundation](https://nlnet.nl/) as part of the [NGI
Zero](https://nlnet.nl/NGI0/) [PET](https://nlnet.nl/PET/) programme.
Please see "[Structuring the System Layer with Dataspaces
(2021)](https://syndicate-lang.org/projects/2021/system-layer/)" for
details of the funded project.

## Copyright and License

<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"><img
    alt="Creative Commons License"
    style="border-width:0; margin-right:0.33em; float:left;"
    src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png"></a>
This manual is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).  
Copyright © 2021–2022 Tony Garnock-Jones <tonyg@leastfixedpoint.com>.

The Synit programs and source code are separately licensed. Please see the source code for
details.