 | |
 HandyLinux Desktop | |
| Developer | thuban, Starsheep, and arpinux |
|---|---|
| OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
| Working state | Discontinued |
| Source model | Open source |
| Initial release | September 2013; 11 years ago (2013-09) |
| Latest release | HandyLinux 2.5 / 11 June 2016; 8 years ago (2016-06-11) |
| Available in | Multilingual[1] |
| Update method | APT |
| Package manager | dpkg (Synaptic) |
| Platforms | I586,I686 andamd64 |
| Kernel type | MonolithicLinux kernel |
| Userland | GNU |
| Default user interface | Xfce/Compiz |
| License | Free software licenses (mainlyGPL) |
| Official website | handylinux.org (archived) |
HandyLinux is a simplifiedLinux operating system developed inFrance, derived from theDebian stable branch. It was designed to be easily accessible and downloadable, so that it could be used by people with very little computer experience and on a range of older hardware that was no longer supported by the latest versions of proprietaryoperating systems.[2][3]It was particularly aimed at older people with dated hardware who do not need nor possess the skill to use many features afforded by state-of-the-artoperating systems.
The last version was released in June 2016, and the project is now listed as "discontinued" by DistroWatch.[4] On April 20, 2020, it was announced that HandyLinux was being replaced by Debian-Facile, which is not a distribution itself but a customization of Debian.[5]
The goal of the HandyLinux project was to provide a "stable"Debian-based OS forelderly people,novices, and people seeking freedom and full functionality on a user-friendly desktop. HandyLinux was an official Debian derivative with a simple and cleargraphical user interface called the HandyMenu.[6] The system featured built-in tools to facilitate the handling of home computing.[7]
The distribution and the project's documentation was aimed primarily at French-language users. Documentation was intended to teach users desktop navigation and help them to learn the HandyLinux distribution.[8][9] Prospective users were encouraged to browse the HandyLinux online forum[10] and ask questions about the operating system.
HandyLinux was designed to be installable on any modern computer with, at minimum, aPentium 4 processor, 512 MB ofRAM, and 3.7 GB ofhard drive storage available.[11][12]
The distribution could be run as either of two "live" versions,live CD (handylinuxlight) orlive USB, to sample the prepackaged software and test its compatibility with the installed hardware.[13] Alternatively, it could be installed on anetbook equipped with at least 4 GB ofstorage on computers built before 2005 (HandyLinuxi486 non-PAE) and oncomputers built from 2005 onward (HandyLinuxi686-PAE).[14][15]
If they choose, users could remove the default HandyMenu and substitute the classical menu of theXfcedesktop environment, as well as add software packages, and customize the look and feel of the distribution after becoming more experienced with the OS by reading the documentation.[16][17]
All the software needed for a functional desktop was included in thedisk image, and anInternet connection was not necessary to install the program bundle prepackaged with the HandyLinux operating system.[18]
Tools were integrated for improvingaccessibility: a color inverter, a screen filter and magnifier, direct access to documentation, copy and paste button, a virtual keyboard, and voice synthesis integrated into the browser.
Some small practical programs are also included: screenshot, calendar, file search, automatic download folder sorting, Bleachbit for cleaning, "Archive Manager", Disk Utility for formatting, Hardinfo for system information, and XL-wallpaper wallpaper changer.
HandyLinux's nativedesktop environment was based onXfce, and theCompizcompositing window manager is optional.[19] Users could switch to the more traditionalXfcemenu if they preferred it to the HandyMenu.[20]
A seven-tabmenu with a largecomputer icon enabled users to graphically launch applications,[21] and only asingle click is necessary to open files and folders or run a program.
HandyLinux updates generally followed updates of the Debian stable branch.[22]
| Name | Release date | Megabytes | Base | 32 bits | Supported platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| handylinux-2.5-i386[23] | 2016-06-11 | 1344 | Debian based 8.5 | 32bits | I586 &I686-pae |
| handylinux-2.5-amd64 | 2016-06-11 | 1212 | Debian based 8.5 | 64bits | amd64 |
| handylinux-2.4-i386 | 2016-04-10 | 1367 | Debian based 8.4 | 32bits | I586 &I686-pae |
| handylinux-2.4-amd64 | 2016-04-10 | 1240 | Debian based 8.4 | 64bits | amd64 |
| handylinux-2.3-i386 | 2016-01-24 | 1378 | Debian based 8.3 | 32bits | I586 &I686-pae |
| handylinux-2.3-amd64 | 2016-01-24 | 1244 | Debian based 8.3 | 64bits | amd64 |
| handylinux-2.2 | 2015-09-06 | 1359 | Debian based 8.2 | 32bits | I586 &I686-pae |
| handylinux-2.2-amd64 | 2015-09-06 | 1182 | Debian based 8.2 | 64bits | amd64 |
| handylinux-2.1 | 2015-06-09 | 1335 | Debian based 8.1 | 32bits | I586 &I686-pae |
| handylinux-2.0[24] | 2015-05-16 | 1325 | Debian based 8.0 | 32bits | I586 &I686-pae |
| handylinuxlight-2.0[25] | 2015-05-23 | 697 | Debian based 8.0 | 32bits | I586 &I686-pae |
| handylinux-1.9 wheezy[26] | 2015-04-11 | 1250 | Debian based 7.8 | 32bits | I486 &I686-pae |
| handylinuxlight-1.8[27] | 2015-01-17 | 656 | Debian based 7.8 | 32bits | I486 &I686-pae |
| handylinux-compiz 1.6.1[28] | 2014-08-16 | 1160 | Debian based 7.6 | 32bits | I486 &I686-pae |
A developmentfork of HandyLinux in theFinnish language was published May 29, 2014.[29]
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