UbuntuHandbook

Colorpicker: Mininal But Complete Color Picker App

Last updated: March 6, 2020

There are quite a few color picker applications for Ubuntu Linux. Colorpicker is another one written with Electron, and works in Linux, Windows, and Mac OS.

The colorpicker tool features:

pin app window to the foreground.
A picker opens an eyedropper to pick a color from your desktop
Colorsbook, a color manager
show three bar of shading — hue bar, natural bar and lightness bar
Toggle Opacity range
Show colors from the clipboard

How to Install ColorPicker in Ubuntu:

The software is available in Ubuntu Software as Snap package (runs in sandbox). Simply search for and install colorpicker app and enjoy!

If you prefer .deb or .appimage, go to the Github releases page:

In App Review color picker

OpenShot 2.5.1 Released, How to Install it via PPA

Last updated: March 4, 2020

OpenShot video editor 2.5.1 was released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and derivatives via PPA.

OpenShot 2.5.1 features faster performance, huge optimizations with effects, and improved UTF-8 character support. Release highlights include:

UTF-8 Project Encoding Bug Fix (for non-ASCII characters)
Auto-Repair UTF-8 Corrupted Projects
Thumbnail Server UTF-8 Encoding
Fixed Broken Color-Shift and Shift Effects
Optimize Saturation, Hue, Blur, Wave, Brightness, Pixelate Effects
Frame: Fix interlaced AddImage
Raise Preview Cache to CPUs X 8 Frames (max 64)
Enhance Json Data Handling
Improve Travis Speed (remove homebrew from Mac builds)
Auto-Update HEX Version (for older CMake versions)

How to Install OpenShot 2.5.1 in Ubuntu:

1. Open terminal from software launcher (or press Ctrl+Alt+T), when it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openshot.developers/ppa

Type user password (no asterisk feedback due to security reason) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then run following commands one by one to refresh repository cache and install OpenShot:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install openshot-qt

Also it’s recommended to upgrade your system libraries via sudo apt upgrade to avoid launching issue.

Uninstall:

To uninstall openshot video editor, run following command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove openshot-qt

And remove the PPA by launching “Software & Updates” and navigating to Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News OpenShot Video Editor

Glimpse Image Editor 0.1.2 Released [How-to Install]

Last updated: March 3, 2020

Glimpse, an open source image editor based on GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP in short), released version 0.1.2 today.

Due to the problematic word “gimp”, Glimpse forked the well known image editor so there are no potential barriers to using the software in businesses and educational institutions.

Glimpse is small release with minor tweaks and bug fixes. Changes in the release include:

Improved non-English translations and rebranding
Upstream contributors are better credited in the UI
“Color” icon pack and the “Gray” UI theme are back
Rebranded “Gimpressionist” plug-in and text color chooser
Unnecessary “fun” brushes have been removed

How to Install Glimpse 0.1.2 in Ubuntu:

The community build Snap package is available in Ubuntu Software, though it’s not updated at the moment.

The official Flatpak package has been updated to v0.1.2. And you can do following steps one by one to install it in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

1.) Open terminal either from system application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command:

sudo apt install flatpak

2.) Add the flathub repository which hosts the flatpak package:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3.) Finally install the Flatpak package of Glimpse via command:

flatpak install flathub org.glimpse_editor.Glimpse

If you already installed an old version, run command to update the package:

flatpak update org.glimpse_editor.Glimpse

Once installed, launch the image editor from your system application menu and enjoy!

Uninstall Glimpse:

To remove Glimpse image editor flatpak package, simply run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall org.glimpse_editor.Glimpse

In News GIMP fork, Glimpse image editor

Delta Chat – Telegram / Whatsapp Like Messenger over Email

Last updated: March 2, 2020

Delta Chat is a free open-source Telegram or Whatsapp like messenger that works on Linux, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.

Delta Chat doesn’t have its own servers but uses the most massive and diverse open messaging system ever: the existing e-mail server network.

Chat with anyone if you know their e-mail address, no need for them to install the software! All you need is a standard e-mail account.

Download Delta Chat:

The software offers deb, appimage, and flatpak packages for downloading on its website:

Install the messenger, login via your Email address and enjoy!

For Gmail, you’ll need to turn on “Less secure app access” in account settings > security web page.

In App Review messenger

Kodi 18.6 Available to Install via PPA in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: March 1, 2020

Kodi Media Center 18.6 now is available to install via its official PPA in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and their derivatives.

Kodi 18.6 is a maintenance release contains mainly bug-fixes and stability improvements. It’s not officially announced at the moment. According to the changelog, changes in the new release include: add image mime type for support over imagedecoder.raw, fix launching zip and 7z files from MyGames, fix error playing disk image games, remove now superflous HeadSet check, Remove Headphone check, and much more other changes.

How to Install Kodi 18.6 in Ubuntu:

The Kodi stable PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

1. Open terminal either from application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then either upgrading Kodi from an existing version via Software Updater:

or refresh system package cache and install Kodi 18.6 via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install kodi

Uninstall:

To remove the Kodi PPA repository, simply open Software & Updates -> Other Software.

To remove Kodi, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove kodi kodi-data kodi-bin

In Howtos, News Kodi, XBMC media center

HPLIP 3.20.2 Released with Linux Mint 19.3 Support

Last updated: February 27, 2020

HPLIP 3.20.2, HP developed open source Linux driver for HP printers and scanners, was released today with many new devices and Linux Mint 19.3 support.

HLIP 3.20.2 added support for Linux Mint 19.3 and the following new printers:

HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1200n, 1200nw
HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1201n, 1202nw
HP Laser NS MFP 1005n
HP Neverstop Laser 1000n, 1001nw
HP Laser NS 1020n
HP ScanJet Pro 2000 s2
HP ScanJet Pro 3000 s4
HP ScanJet Pro N4000 snw1
HP ScanJet Enterprise Flow 5000 s5
HP ScanJet Enterprise Flow N7000 snw1

1. To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.20.2.run” from the link below:

2. Then open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to make the file executable.

chmod +x ~/Downloads/hplip-3.20.2.run

3. Finally run command to run the downloaded file:

sh ~/Downloads/hplip-3.20.2.run

4. Follow the terminal prompts, answer some questions to build and install HPLIP on your system. When everything is done, plug/re-plug your printers and enjoy!

In News HP printer driver, HPLIP

Opera 67 Released with ‘Workspaces’ for Tab Organization

Last updated: February 26, 2020

Opera web browser 67 was released a few days ago with tab organization redefined via a new tool called ‘Workspaces’.

Often have your browser with too many tabs open? With Opera 67, opened tabs can be grouped into different workspaces. And you can easily switch workspaces via the icons in the left sidebar.

You can add up to 5 workspaces, name them, and designate their icons. Tabs can be moved to the workspace of your choice via their context (right-click) menu.

Other new features in Opera 67 include:

Highlight duplicated tabs when hover mouse pointer over a tab.
New tab-cycler via Ctrl+Tab shortcut.
Sidebar setup panel via the three-dot icon in the bottom left.
Improved security with DNS over HTTPS
Improved Video pop-out (picture in picture)

How to Install Opera 67 in Ubuntu:

The Opera team offers snap package (runs in sandbox), available to install in Ubuntu Software:

Also the native Ubuntu .deb package is available for downloading at the link below:

Grab the .deb package, and double-click to install it.

If you installed Opera via the .deb package, you may also add the official apt repository via following steps to receive future software updates.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the opera repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://deb.opera.com/opera-stable/ stable non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera.list'

2. Get the key:

wget -O - http://deb.opera.com/archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

Finally either install Opera via following command or upgrade the browser via Software Updater:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install opera-stable

Uninstall:

For the Opera snap package, simply remove it from Ubuntu Software.

For the Opera apt repository, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove traditional opera package, either use your system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove opera-stable

In Howtos, News Opera

GIMP Image Editor 2.10.18 Released with 3D Transform tool

Last updated: February 25, 2020

GIMP image editor 2.10.18 was released a day ago with new features and usability improvements. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu.

Due to a critical bug, v2.10.16 was skipped and GIMP 2.10.18 was released with following release highlights:

Tools now grouped in the toolbox by default.
Sliders now have a compact style by default.
Vastly improved user experience for the transformation preview
Dockable areas now highlighted when a dockable dialog is being dragged
New 3D Transform tool to rotate and pan items
Much smoother brush outline preview motion on the canvas
Symmetry painting enhancements
Faster loading of ABR brushes
PSD support improvements
Consolidated user interface for merging down and anchoring layers
Update check to notify users of new releases available
Various bug-fixes, and translation updates.

Install GIMP 2.10.18 in Ubuntu:

Neither the PPA repository nor GIMP Snap package are updated to v2.10.18 at the moment of writing.

However, GIMP Flatpak package has been updated for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher. Simply open terminal from application menu and run following commands one by one:

1. Install flatpak framework:
```
sudo apt install flatpak
```
2. Add flathub repository:
```
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
```
3. Install GIMP flatpak package:
```
flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
```
4. If an old GIMP Flatpak version was installed, update it via command:
```
flatpak update flathub org.gimp.GIMP
```

GIMP Flatpak co-exists with Snap and native .deb packages. Run command to start it if you have more than one GIMP icon, and don’t know which one to run.

flatpak run org.gimp.GIMP

Uninstall GIMP Flatpak package:

To remove the flatpak package, simply run command:

flatpak uninstall flathub org.gimp.GIMP

In Howtos, News gimp

Notable – Markdown based Note-taking App for Linux

Last updated: February 23, 2020

Notable is an open-source Markdown-based note-taking application that works in Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.

Notes are written and rendered in GitHub Flavored Markdown, no WYSIWYG, no account required, no proprietary formats, and the app isn’t bloated.

Notable has a pretty user interface and it features:

Markdown editor, the same one VS Code uses.
Notes and attachments stored locally on your disk
Dark theme support.
Zen mode that provides a minimalistic editing and reading experience
Import Evernote and Boostnote notes
Export notes to Markdown, HTML or PDF.
Fuzzy search, attachments, synchronization with Dropbox, and more.

How to Install Notable in Ubuntu:

Although Notable Snap package is available in Ubuntu Software, it’s recommended to download the .deb from the link below:

Scroll down a little, click download the ‘notable_x.x.x_amd64.deb‘ packages, then install it either via Gdebi package installer or simply double click on the deb.

Finally open the software from your system application menu and enjoy!

In App Review note-taking app

Remote Touchpad: Control Mouse & Keyboard from Your Phone

Last updated: April 24, 2024

Remote Touchpad is an open-source utility allows to remote control the mouse and keyboard connected to your computer from the web browser of a smartphone or any other device with a touchscreen.

Remote Touchpad supports Flatpak’s RemoteDesktop portal (experimental), Windows and X11.

Simply run the utility on your machine. It outputs an URL along with QR code in a terminal window. To take control open the displayed URL or scan the QR code in your phone.