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title: About CentOS
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---
## The CentOS Project
The CentOS Project is a community-driven free software effort focused around
providing a rich base platform for open source communities to build upon.
We provide a development framework for cloud providers, the hosting community,
and scientific data processing, as a few examples.
We work with several upstream communities to help them layer and distribute
their software more effectively on a platform they can rely on.
## CentOS Stream
CentOS Stream is an open source Enterprise Linux distribution that tracks
just ahead of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
CentOS Stream is derived from Fedora Linux. It has a new major version
release every three years, and each release is maintained for five years.
CentOS Stream development is open to all, but because CentOS Stream only
has updates intended for RHEL, it is maintained by the RHEL team.
[Learn how to contribute](/contribute).
CentOS Stream can serve as a production operating system, a development
environment, or a preview of the next minor RHEL release.
It also serves as a foundation for the work from our Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
## CentOS Special Interest Groups
The CentOS Project is home to a number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
SIGs are involved in the project in a number of ways.
* Produce variant editions and alternative images of CentOS.
* Develop and package software to be run on top of CentOS.
* Support the CentOS project with non-technical activities.
[See all Special Interest Groups](/sigs).
## The CentOS Board
The CentOS Governing Board is made up of members of the CentOS Project, many of
whom have been around since the creation of the Project, as well as new members
from Red Hat who were instrumental in bringing the new relationship together.
The focus of the Governing Board is to curate the CentOS Project, assist and
guide in the progress and development of the various SIGs, as well as to
promote CentOS Linux. For more information read the [governance
page](/about/governance).