February 15 2016 Emmabuntus DE starts a new adventure

On February 15 2016, Emmabuntüs DE starts a new adventure



On February 15, 2016, the Emmabuntüs Collective is happy to announce the release of the new Emmabuntüs Debian Edition in Beta release (for the time being only the 32 bits version is available), based on Debian 8.3 distribution featuring the XFCE desktop environment.

This distribution was originally designed to facilitate the reconditioning of computers given to humanitarian organizations, especially Emmaüs communities (which is where the distribution's name obviously comes from), and to promote the discovery of GNU/Linux by beginners, as well as to extend the lifespan of hardware to reduce the overconsumption of raw materials ( * ).

As of now, we develop on top of the Framagit free platform, in order for our JerryClan friends, Ayiyikoh Incubator and DouaLab based in Ivory Coast, to build their own derived version based on their future projects.

Keeping in mind the Debian spirit, this version was designed with a stronger emphasis on the community aspect, and the supports of members of other communities like : Arpinux from the HandyLinux distribution, David and Francine from the Doualab, Jack, Jean-Christophe and LN form the Emmabuntüs Collective, Mamahadou and Moussa from the AyiyikohIncubator, rançois from Multisystem, Nicolas from Montpel'libre and bloggers Frédéric Bezies, Rodolphe.

Many thanks to all of them for their valuable help and support.

When releasing this first version under Debian we obviously have emotional thoughts for Ian who left us far too soon, and without whom this adventure would not be possible. Ian you deserve our eternal gratitude !



Drawing of Péhä – cc-0 : « In Memoriam: Ian Murdock »

On the technical side, this new version looks a lot like Emmabuntüs 3, which is based on Xubuntu 14.04 LTS, but is lighter and faster, according to our first tests. So we can reuse the full set of tutorials hosted on the Developpez.com site, with the noticeable exception of the installation guide which shall be edited to take into account the specific Debian Life Installer.

This new version includes most of the applications wih were part of Emmabuntüs 3, except Firefox and Thunderbird respectively replaced by Iceweasel and Icedove, which are their equivalents under Debian.

And few other changes took place :


 * Bleach Bit replaces Ubuntu Tweak
 * Paquets replaces the Ubuntu Software Center
 * Florence replaces OnBoard
 * Hedgewars replaces Warmux which is now obsolete.

This version is not intended to replace Emmabuntüs 3 which we will continue to support and to use for the computer refurbishing activities. In fact this two versions will be complementary.

This version will be available as of February 15 2016, from our homepage: emmabuntus.org, and also from this website 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, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Diaspora, 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 cycle of hardware, the most effective action you can have is to limit the environmental impact of these materials by reducing your purchases and by increasing their life ! ".


 * ''Extract from Lettre N°3 – Octobre 2008 : L'informatique omniprésente. Quel impact sur l'environnement ?
 * Exposition Le numérique et l'environnement (Analyse Le numérique et l'environnement )''
 * Quelle est l’empreinte carbone d’un ordinateur ?