Hurd

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Hurd

   <operating system> The {GNU} project's replacement for the
   {Unix} {kernel}.  The Hurd is a collection of {servers} that
   run on the {Mach} {microkernel} to implement {file systems},
   {network protocols}, file access control, and other features
   that are implemented by the Unix kernel or similar kernels
   such as {Linux}.  The GNU {C Library} provides the {Unix}
   {system call} interface, and calls the Hurd for services it
   can't provide itself.

   The Hurd aims to establish a framework for shared development
   and maintenance, allowing a broad range of users to share
   projects without knowing much about the internal workings of
   the system - projects that might never have been attempted
   without freely available source, a well-designed interface,
   and a multi-server-based design.

   Currently there are free ports of the {Mach} {kernel} to the
   {Intel 80386} {IBM PC}, the {DEC} {PMAX} {workstation}, the
   {Luna} {88k}, with more in progress, including the {Amiga} and
   {DEC} {Alpha}-3000 machines.

   According to Thomas Bushnell, BSG, the primary architect of
   the Hurd: 'Hurd' stands for 'Hird of Unix-Replacing Daemons'
   and 'Hird' stands for 'Hurd of Interfaces Representing Depth'.
   Possibly the first software to be named by a pair of {mutually
   recursive} acronyms.

   The Hurd Home (http://gnu.org/software/hurd/hurd.html).

   [June 1994 GNU's Bulletin].

   (2004-02-24)