August 28 2017 EmmaDE Even more free

On August 28 2017, EmmaDE 1.03 Even more free !



On August 28, 2017, the Emmabuntüs Collective is happy to announce the release of the new Emmabuntüs Debian Edition 1.03 (32 and 64 bits), based on Debian 8.9 distribution and featuring the XFCE desktop environment.

This distribution was originally designed to facilitate the reconditioning of computers donated to humanitarian organizations, starting with the Emmaüs communities (which is where the distribution's name obviously comes from), to promote the discovery of GNU/Linux by beginners, as well as to extend the lifespan of computer hardware in order to reduce the waste induced by the overconsumption of raw materials (1).

This update is released to ease even more the refurbishing workload on all the associations using Emmabuntüs, and on our JerryClan friends in France and Africa who practice intensively the recycling of computer components while they are building their Jerry Do It Together. They are located in Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, in the Ayiyikoh, BloLab or DouaLab laboratories, and all use Jerrys under Emmabuntüs to develop innovative projects in their respective territories. This new version should also further help those who are running training classes and particularly in Africa : YovoTogo, JUMP Lab'Orione, and RAP2S. If you want more details concerning our various cooperations with these associations, please read this interview which summarizes the 5 years of our collective existence.



during the children training workshops on the Scratch software

This version does not introduce big novelties, like did the 1.02 version with the UEFI support and the addition of the Lilo search engine by default, but rather some significant improvements, and even more free software with the Framasoft embedded services.

This version will be the baseline of our next version, Emmabuntüs Debian Edition 2 based on Debian 9 Stretch, that we plan to release sometimes in September 2017.

This Debian Edition 1.03 version includes the following fixes and enhancements :


 * Version based on Debian 8.9
 * Replacement of Icedove by Thunderbird
 * Replacement of the httpredir repositories by the ftp ones
 * Replacement of the now obsolete Pipelight and Pepper Flash by Adobe Flashplayer
 * Replacement of the now obsolete Skype 4.3 by the version 5.3, on 64 bits architecture only.
 * Addition of the Arduino IDE
 * Addition of a function to change the Dock level within the XFCE menu
 * Addition of the French and English tutorials to configure a printer
 * Addition of script in English langage to easily install the Brother printers
 * Implementation of the Framasoft services : Framadrop based on the Lufi free software, developed by Luc Didry, Framatalk based on the Jitsi Meet free software and the link pointing to the whole set of the Framasoft services in order to "De-google-ify Internet"
 * Optimization of the Swap
 * Deletion of the smb4k software
 * Activation of the finger tapping and moving on the Touchpad
 * Update of the radio station list in RadioTray

As of August 28 2017, this version can be downloaded from our emmabuntus.org site, or from this other link download.emmabuntus.org.

We encourage you to give your old computers to charities.

Here are some links to install and to use this distro: List of applications, Installation, Personalization, but also the traditional F.A.Q

If you have any problems or comments, you can contact us on: Forum, Diaspora*, Mastodon, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, contact

Note :

According to the ADEME from manufacturing to disposal, through its use, each stage of the life of the computer equipment can be quantified by its environmental impact: making a computer and a screen requires 1.8 tons of resources (240 kg of fossil fuels, 22 kg of chemicals, 1500 liters of water).

For the Ecoinfo's group the priority is to act. Each member of the group does it by himself (purchasing, maintenance, development of networks), but everyone of us can also contribute by his personal behavior. Their conclusion: " If it is already possible to intervene at all stages of the hardware cycle, the most effective action you can take is to limit the environmental impact of these materials by reducing your purchases and by increasing their lifetime !".


 * Where does e-waste end up ?
 * 11 Facts About E-Waste
 * Environmental implications and carbon footprint