XubEcol: a Xubuntu-based distro geared for use in schools

xubecol

There are many Linux distributions, each one intended for a particular use or simply for general use, such is the case of the best known from which the others are derived and each one created for different uses.

Although for the educational field there are really few the distributions that have that focus and I say this taking into account the large number of distros that exist and these for education really represent very little.

It is because of that Today we are going to talk about an excellent Linux distribution which takes Xubuntu as its base and it is from where the developers of this start to be able to offer a system for schools.

The distro that we will talk about has the name XubEcol.

This catalogs itself more than a system if not as a solution that can be installed in rural schools, according to the directors, to extend the life of computers whose original proprietary systems have become obsolete.

The configuration with printers, video projector is ensured, as well as the training and maintenance of the user.

About XubEcol

As everybody know, Schools do not have the same equipment as large multinationals, which is why in many institutes the equipment they have is classified as obsolete,

And the problem has worsened since Microsoft abandoned Windows XP in April 2014. It is financially and technically inconceivable to upgrade everything to a newer version of Windows.

With which they are practically forced to update their equipment to support their newer versions and this is where not all of them are viable.

xubecol 1

Why Xubuntu and why customize it?

Xubuntu is a small Linux distribution that you no longer need to introduce. It has been shown that it is now possible to have a system that is low on resources, reliable and secure. Its very classic interface is easy to use, it does not differ much from that of Windows XP or 7.

It is very resource efficient and therefore allows to revive old computers like many of the Linux distributions, Xubuntu is fully customizable.

Features

In this distribution we find that the following applications were removed: Abiword, Gnumeric, Pidgim, Gmusicbrowser, Transmission, Xchat, Word, Thunderstorm

And instead the following were added: Vlc, Pinta, Chromium, LibreOffice, Gcompris, Tuxpaint, Tuxtype, Audacity.

As average To ensure the students' web browsing as much as possible, they decided to configure the Firefox browser with the following options in the student session:

  • - Qwant Junior is the default search engine (Google has been removed).
  • - AdBlok Plus is configured. It will be replaced in the next version by uBlock Origin, which appears to be much less resource intensive.
  • - For the schools of the Montpellier Academy, the Rector's proxy is set, but not activated, because it is necessary to have the identifiers of the school.

How to get XubEcol?

Si want to download this Linux distribution it is enough to go to its official website and in it we can obtain the download links of this distro.

And as mentioned, it is a distribution that is focused on low-resource computers, so we can find the 64-bit version, as well as the 32-bit version of this distro.

Currently the XubEcol distro is in its version B1809 which is based on Xubuntu 18.04.1 LTS Bionic Beaver, with the updates of September 2018. The link is this.

The ISO image offered for download is generated with the Pinguy Builder tool.

A shortcut to the installer is located in the XubEcol directory of the home folder (student session). A script allows the construction of this adaptation from Xubuntu.

The image can be recorded on a USB with etcher.

Additionally, the developers of this Linux distribution offer on their website some customization scripts in which users can use them to customize the distribution according to the needs they have with the system.


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  1.   Bruno said

    Hello !

    First of all, a thousand thanks for your interest in XubEcol.
    (Sorry: my Spanish is not very good. But I like it a lot and I'm learning…)

    To summarize: XubEcol was an answer to a problem.

    The problem after Microsoft's abandonment of its old Windows XP operating system: What are we going to do with all these Windows XP computers in schools?
    They cannot replace them. They don't have enough money.

    The answer: a Linux system, light enough, with the best parameters for a school and that looks a little like XP ...

    Then you had to be able to install it easily and quickly. It is possible thanks to MultiSystem (http://liveusb.info/dotclear/), less than 15 minutes with a pendrive.

    I must confess that I stayed in a French-speaking use only, but if you need help ... =)

    see you soon !!!