Archives For November 30, 1999

Mozilla Firefox 88.0 was released today. For Linux users now it supports for smooth pinch-zooming using a touchpad.

Besides that, Firefox 88 introduced a new protection against privacy leaks. Now it confines the window.name property to the website that created it. And it will clear the window.name property when navigating between websites to potential privacy leakage.

For those prefer the built-in ‘Take a Screenshot’ action, the feature has been removed from the ‘three dots’ page actions menu. Instead, you can get it from the context menu.

Other changes in Firefox 88.0 include:

  • PDF forms now support JavaScript embedded in PDF files.
  • Margin units are now localized in Print.
  • Disable FTP support.
  • Various security fixes.

How to get Firefox 88 in Ubuntu:

For all current Ubuntu releases, the new Firefox package will be published in Ubuntu security & updates repositories in the next few days.

At that time, you can easily update the web browser through Software Updater (Update Manager)

For those who can’t wait, the non-install portable tarball is available to download at the link below:

Firefox FTP Download Page

Make Some Noise in Ubuntu Linux with Blanket

Last updated: April 16, 2021

Want to make some ambient sounds? Try Blanket, an open-source tool with modern user interface.

Blanket is a GTK application allows to play some ambient sounds including:

  • Birdsong
  • Summer night
  • Rain, storm, wind.
  • Coffee shop, fireplace.
  • White noise, pink noise.
  • Train, boat, and city.

Each sound has a volume control, so that you can get mixed sounds.

And the app supports playing even more sounds by adding your own audio files.

How to Install Blanket in Ubuntu:

The software has an official Ubuntu PPA, which so far offers packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, and Ubuntu 21.04.

1.) Open terminal from your system app launcher. When terminal opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apandada1/blanket

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

2.) After that, run apt command to install it:

sudo apt install blanket

Once installed, open it from system app launcher and enjoy!

Uninstall Blanket

To remove the PPA, either go to Software & Updates -> Other Software or run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:apandada1/blanket

To remove the ambient noise player, run command:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove blanket

gThumb, GNOME image viewer and organizer, released version 3.11.3 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.10 via PPA.

gThumb 3.11.3 adds support for JPEG XL – the next generation image coding standard.

JPEG XL (.jxl) is based on ideas from Google’s Pik format and Cloudinary’s FUIF format. It is the next-generation, general-purpose image compression codec by the JPEG committee. Some popular apps, e.g., ImageMagick, XnView MP, have already added support for the image format.

gThumb now opens the .jxl image format through the libjxl library.

Other changes in the release include:

  • Added file actions to the viewer context menu.
  • Removed facebook and picasaweb uploaders
  • Fixed issue that continuously reloads image when it is only image in folder
  • Webp can have transparency as well.
  • New and updated translations.

How to Install gThumb 3.11.3 in Ubuntu via PPA:

For Ubuntu 18.04 (64-bit), Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Ubuntu 21.04, Linux Mint 19.x, 20.x, you can install the new release packages via the unofficial PPA.

NOTE for Ubuntu 21.04: It seems to have bug (not sure) in libjxl when building against Clang 11.0.1. So gThumb packge for 21.04 was built without JPEG XL support.

1.) To add the PPA, open terminal from system application launcher, and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

2.) You can then either upgrade the image viewer from an old version via Update Manager (Software Updater), or run command in terminal:

sudo apt install gthumb

Uninstall gThumb & the Ubuntu PPA

To remove gThumb image viewer, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove gthumb gthumb-data

To remove the Ubuntu PPA, either run the apt-add-repository command with --remove flag, or use Software & Updates -> Other Software.

Starting in Ubuntu 21.04, when user trying to open file or path via GVfs admin daemon it outputs an error and refuses to work.

This usually happens when you use “Open as Administrator” or “Edit as Administrator” to open folder or edit file via root. Or when you trying to access another user folder in system, and even using nautilus admin://, gedit admin://, or other commands in your script or console.

It usually outputs an error look like this:

GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1.Error.Failed: Unix process subject does not have uid set

The issue is caused by a gvfs commit to fix flatpak app network permission requirement problem. To get rid of the error (see bug), reverting just that one commit could be a workaround.

Method 1: Install old GVfs from Ubuntu 20.10 repository:

You can download & install the gvfs .deb packages for the previous Ubuntu 20.10. And here are the links for 64-bit system:

gvfs_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

gvfs-libs_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

gvfs-fuse_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

gvfs-daemons_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

gvfs-common_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_all.deb

gvfs-backends_1.46.1-1ubuntu1_amd64.deb

Grab the 6 packages, then open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install all of them:

sudo apt install ./Downloads/gvfs*.deb

Method 2: upgrade GVfs via PPA (recommend):

Upstream has fixed the issue by releasing GVfs 1.48.1. Ubuntu somehow stuck at v1.47.91 in Ubuntu 21.10 & 21.04.

Besides building from the source, I’ve uploaded it into this PPA to make life easier.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/gvfs

2. Then either upgrade GVfs via “Software Updater” or run the apt command in terminal:

sudo apt install gvfs

After installing the new packages, Log out and back in to apply change.

How to Restore GVfs to stock version:

If you change mind, and want to revert it back, simply run command in terminal to purge the PPA which will downgrade the installed packages:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/gvfs

That’s all. Enjoy!

Quiet Audio Fade (aka Quite AF) is a small applet slowly reduces the volume on your computer over time, letting you find the quietest level that works.

It’s f.lux for your ears!

The tool is written in Go programming language, and it works in Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.

It works as a system tray indicator with only a few menu options. The first option shows the current tool status (ACTIVE or PAUSED) along with the volume level in number.

When it’s in ACTIVE mode, it slowly decreases your system volume bit by bit with time interval set in “Speed” option. Higher intervals mean a longer, more subtle decrease.

Eventually you’ll notice the sound is a tad too low and you’ll increase the volume, which will disable Quiet AF and leave your volume at the perfect level – not too loud, not too quiet!

How to Get Quiet Audio Fade in Ubuntu:

Besides building from source tarball, the applet offers single executable file in its project page:

Quiet AF Releases

Grab the package for Ubuntu, and give executable permission in file’s Properties dialog.

You’re finally able to start it via command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

./Downloads/QuietAF_Ubuntu

If you prefer the applet, you can move the executable file to /usr/local/bin, manually create app shortcut, or add it as startup application.

The CopyQ clipboard manager released version 4.0.0 a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 21.04, Ubuntu 18.04 via PPA.

CopyQ is a free and open-source clipboard manager with editing and scripting features. The new 4.0.0 release features new script engine with some new functions, better ECMAScript support, improved performance.

The release also adds Wayland support and bash completion script. Other changes include:

  • Update synchronization plugin to keep order of new items consistent between multiple instances.
  • Search multiple words in any order
  • Use system notification popups.
  • Item rows set to 1 by default in main window and tray menu
  • Tags can be “locked” in configuration.
  • Web plugin removed.
  • New advanced options allow to set intervals and wait times for copying,
    pasting and window focus.

How to Install Copyq 4.0.0 in Ubuntu:

The official PPA repository has made the latest packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 20.10.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) from application menu and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:hluk/copyq

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

2. Then install CopyQ either via Synaptic package manager or by running commands in terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install copyq

Once installed, start the clipboard manager from application menu and you’ll see the icon in system tray area.

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use Synaptic package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove copyq

To remove PPA repositories, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

Wine

Wine 6.6 was released a few days ago as the latest development release of the Windows compatibility layer.

In the new release the Mono engine is updated to version 6.1.1 with upstream updates. DWrite and DnsApi libraries are now converted to PE. And it improved plug & play driver support.

Other changes in Wine 6.6 include various bug-fixes to Windows applications and games, e.g., Evil Twin, Half-life, Breath of Fire IV, Google drive, Legends of Runeterra, and more.

How to Install Wine 6.6 in Ubuntu:

The official Wine apt repository now provides the new release package for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 20.10

Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from system application menu. When it opens, run following steps one by one.

Install Wine Development version via following commands will replace the latest stable Wine release package if installed.

1.) Run command to enable 32 bit architecture (if you don’t have it):

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386

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

2.) Install the repository key by running command:

wget -O - https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key | sudo apt-key add -

3.) Add wine repository via command:

sudo apt-add-repository 'deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/ focal main'

IMPORTANT: In this command, you have to replace focal with:

  • focal for Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 20.x
  • groovy for Ubuntu 20.10.
  • bionic for Ubuntu 18.04 and Linux Mint 19.x

Don’t know your system edition? Run lsb_release -a command in terminal to check out.

4.) For Ubuntu 18.04 and Linux Mint 19.x only, libfaudio0 library is required to install from a third-party repository by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cybermax-dexter/sdl2-backport

5.) Finally install Wine 6.6 via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-devel

If you get unmet dependency issue, try aptitude command instead:

sudo apt install aptitude && sudo aptitude install winehq-devel

Uninstall wine:

You may remove the PPA by launching Software & Updates utility and navigating to Other Software tab.

To remove wine 6.6, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove winehq-devel

Shortwave, free and open-source internet radio player for Gnome, released version 2.0.0 today.

The new release introduces a mini player mode. It is a super compact window widget with a few control buttons, and displays the current radio station and playing song name.

Other changes in Shortwave 2.0.0 include:

  • Show system notification when start playing a new song.
  • Redesign the station details window, and add ability to copy the stream URL.
  • Improved keyboard navigation of the user interface.
  • Prevent system from going suspend or hibernate during audio playback.

And Shortwave now is built as GTK4 application. For the UI, you’ll see the bottom corners rounded.

How to Install Shortwave 2.0.0 in Ubuntu:

The radio player is available in Ubuntu Software as Snap package, it is however not updated at the moment of writing.

Besides building from source(impossible as it depends GTK4), so far the only way is installing the containerised Flatpak package.

1.) Open terminal either from system application menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to install the flatpak daemon if you don’t have it:

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

Then install Shortwave flatpak package via command:

flatpak install flathub de.haeckerfelix.Shortwave

Once installed, launch the internet radio player from your system application menu and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove Shortwave, simply run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data de.haeckerfelix.Shortwave

Myxer is a modern new volume mixer application for the PulseAudio sound server. It’s a lightweight and powerful replacement for your system Volume Mixer written in Rust with GTK toolkit.

Myxer can manage audio devices, streams, and even card profiles. And it offers option to show individual audio channels.

As a GTK tool, the software adapts to your selected app theme so that it fits seamlessly into your stock applications.

How to Get Myxer in Ubuntu:

The app so far offers only single executable file, along with the source tarball, which can be downloaded from the link below:

Download Myxer

Just grab the file, and add executable permission in file’s Properties dialog.

And finally run command to launch the tool (In the case, the file is saved in user’s Downloads folder).

./Downloads/Myxer

If you like Myxer, you can move the file to system bin folder, so that you can simply run Myxer command anywhere to launcher it.

sudo mv ~/Downloads/Myxer /usr/local/bin/

(Optional) To remove it,simply run command:

sudo rm /usr/local/bin/Myxer

Warzone 2100, real-time tactics hybrid computer game, released version 4.0.0 a few days ago with tons of changes.

The new release of the open-source 3D real-time strategy game features new graphics backend support:

  • New support for Vulkan 1.0+, OpenGL ES 3.0 / 2.0, DirectX (via libANGLE, OpenGL ES -> DirectX), Metal (via MoltenVK, Vulkan -> Metal)
  • In addition to the existing support for OpenGL 3.0+ Core Profile, OpenGL 2.1 Compatibility Profile

Other features include:

  • New “Factions” for multiplayer / skirmish
  • Higher-res terrain textures, backdrops
  • New Music Manager, + Lupus-Mechanicus’s new soundtrack album
  • Support for “script-generated” / “random” maps (and two new built-in maps that take advantage of this: 6p-Entropy and 10p-Waterloop)
  • Scrollable room chat, and many other UI / widget improvements
  • Updated / smarter AI bots (Bonecrusher, Cobra)
  • New “headless” mode (for --autogame, --autohost, --skirmish)
  • JS API enhancements, + a new “Script Debugger”
  • Removal of Qt as a dependency, + a new embedded JS engine: QuickJS
  • Quality-of-Life / smoothness improvements
  • Hundreds of bug fixes

For more details, see the ChangeLog file in the github project page.

How to Install Warzone 2100 4.0.0 in Ubuntu:

The game offers official Snap package, which can be easily installed from Ubuntu Software:

Don’t like the containerized software package? For Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 19/20, and based systems, grab the classic DEB package from the link below:

Download Warzone 2100

Then open terminal from system app launcher, and run command to install the deb package:

sudo apt install ./Downloads/warzone2100*.deb