Archives For November 30, 1999

GIMP extra color palettes

For Ubuntu 18.04 users sticking to the PPA build of GIMP image editor 2.10.22, now the Python Script support is back.

Since old GTK2 and Python 2 libraries being removed from Ubuntu universe repositories, the Python script support was excluded due to lack of dependencies when I was uploading the GIMP packages into PPA.

Ubuntu 18.04 was neglected, though. It meets all the dependencies to build the requested feature. So I added it back. Hope it’s not too late for you :). And the package was totally built via the rules from otto-kesselgulasch’s PPA.

Install GIMP 2.10.22 via PPA in Ubuntu 18.04:

NOTE I do only basic image editing with GIMP, and I can’t go further test for the function though it seems working.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/gimp

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2.) If an old version of GIMP .deb package was installed, upgrade it via Software Updater (need to install gimp-python manually) utility.

or run apt commands in terminal to install GIMP:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install gimp gimp-gmic gimp-python

If an old version was installed, it’s recommended to run sudo apt upgrade which will also update the required babl, gegl libraries.

How to Restore:

To restore GIMP to the stock version in main Ubuntu repository, run command to purge the PPA:

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

For those prefer installing applications via apt method, the desktop publishing software Scribus 1.5.6 is finally made into PPA available for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, and Linux Mint 20.

Scribus 1.5.6 was released a few months ago as the latest development release for the next major version 1.6.0. It features:

  • Introduce a context-sensitive Content Palette
  • A new PDF-based output preview
  • Improved dark UI themes support.
  • Support for PDF 1.6 export, including embedded OpenType fonts.
  • And much more.

How to Install Scribus 1.5.6.1 via PPA:

Besides non-install Appimage and community maintained flatpak package, the official PPA now contains the packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:scribus/ppa

2.) Then run command to install the software package:

sudo apt install scribus-ng

Uninstall Scribus:

To remove the scribus package, simply run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove scribus-ng

To remove the Ubuntu PPA, either run command in step 1.) with --remove flag, or open Software & Updates and remove relevant line under Other Software tab.

UPDATE 2024: The app seems DISCONTINUED! The last update was about 3 years ago

Youtubedl-gui is a simple new graphical interface for the popular command-line YouTube downloader youtube-dl.

The tool is quite simple to use, just paste the video URL, select audio quality and format, video resolution and format, and click download! And of course, there’s an option to change the destination folder of your downloads.

Once you click download, a small dialog will pop up with the process bar.

How to Install Youtubedl-gui in Ubuntu:

The software developer maintains an Ubuntu PPA contains the packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, and Linux Mint 20.

Open terminal from system application launcher and do following steps one by one:

1.) Run commands one by one to install the latest youtube-dl if you don’t have it:

sudo wget https://yt-dl.org/downloads/latest/youtube-dl -O /usr/local/bin/youtube-dl

sudo chmod a+rx /usr/local/bin/youtube-dl

2.) Add the developer’s PPA by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mordec13/youtubedl-gui

3.) Finally install the tool:

sudo apt install youtubedl-gui

Uninstall Youtubedl-gui:

For any reason, you can remove the software easily via command:

sudo apt remove youtubedl-gui

And remove the Ubuntu PPA either via Software & Updates -> Other Software or by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:mordec13/youtubedl-gui

MuseScore, free open-source sheet music player and editor, released the new major version 3.6 with many new features, improvements and bug-fixes.

New features in MuseScore 3.6 include:

  • New default notation fonts “Leland”
  • New default text font “Edwin”
  • New dialog suggests trying out the new engraving defaults
  • Automatic score ordering and bracketing
  • Automatic vertical justification of staves
  • Added Mountain Dulcimer instrument and 3-string tab presets
  • Added portamento for FLUID synthesiser
  • Added Petaluma notation font
  • Added mnemonics for “Save”, “Save As” and “Resource Manager”

The new release also features many UI and performance improvements including:

  • Improved the vertical staff justification algorithm
  • Improved functionality and appearance of ‘Add Palettes’ button
  • Implemented a new “Export” dialog
  • Added extended fermata symbols to MusicXML I/O
  • Added heavy, reverse end and heavy double barlines
  • Added a harmony duration interpretation
  • Added support for triple sharp and triple flat

And much more other improvements, tons of bug-fixes. For details, see the link below.

How to Get MuseScore 3.6 in Ubuntu Linux:

For Linux users MuseScore 3.6 is only available as Appimage package so far.

Just grab the package, right-click and go to its Properties. Under ‘Permissions’ tab check the box which says ‘Allow executing file as program‘. Finally click run the Appimage to launch the scorewriter.

KeePassXC, cross-platform community fork of KeePass password manager, release version 2.6.3 a few days ago with new features and improvements.

KeePassXC 2.6.3 features Argon2id KDF and version 2 XML key files support. Other changes include:

  • Improve CSV Import/Export
  • Support empty area dragging of app window.
  • Display default Auto-Type sequence in preview pane.
  • Remove strict length limit on generated passwords
  • Hide key file path by default when unlocking database
  • Document support for managed Microsoft Edge
  • Prevent clipboard history and cloud sync.
  • Various bug-fixes.

How to Install KeePassXC 2.6.3 in Ubuntu:

The Latest KeePassXC is available in Ubuntu Software via Snap package. The official download page also offers non-install Appimage package.

For those prefer the classic apt method, the official upstream PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 20.10.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from system application launcher.

When terminal opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

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

2.) Then either update the software package using Software Updater

or run command to install the software:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install keepassxc

Uninstall:

You can run the PPA repository simply by running command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

And if you want, remove keepassxc password manger via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepassxc

Want to try out the Cinnamon Desktop Environment? Without installing Linux Mint, you can get the desktop packages in Ubuntu via a few commands.

Cinnamon is available in Ubuntu main repositories, though the package version is however a little old. You can simply run the command in step 2 to install it if you don’t stick to the latest features.

The Wasta Linux team maintains an Ubuntu PPA that contains Cinnamon 4.8 packages for Ubuntu 20.04.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wasta-linux/cinnamon-4-8

2.) After adding the PPA and updating package cache, run command to install the desktop:

sudo apt install cinnamon-desktop-environment

There will be a large list of packages (about 400 MB download) and more disk space usage for installing the DE.

Once installed, log out and select log back with Cinnamon session.

How to Remove Cinnamon Desktop:

If something goes wrong or you just want to remove Cinnamon, paste and run the command below will remove most the components.

sudo apt remove --autoremove blueman brasero brasero-cdrkit cinnamon '~ncinnamon*' cjs desktop-base  five-or-more fonts-noto '~nfonts-noto*' fonts-quicksand four-in-a-row gedit-plugins-common gnome-chess gnome-backgrounds gnome-games gnome-klotski gnome-nibbles gnome-robots gnome-taquin gnome-tetravex gnote hexchat-common hitori hoichess hwdata iagno iso-flags-png-320x240 '~nlibcinnamon*' mate-icon-theme mate-themes muffin muffin-common nautilus-extension-brasero nemo nemo-data nemo-fileroller pidgin-data quadrapassel sound-juicer swell-foop tali vinagre wodim xapps-common

And remove the PPA either via Software & Updates under Other Software tab, or run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:wasta-linux/cinnamon-4-8

Miss Realtek rtlwifi drivers or get ‘No WiFi Adapter Found‘ issue? There’s now an Ubuntu PPA that contains the most recent rtlwifi drivers for Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and derivatives.

Without building from the source code, the “Linux Mint Türkiye” team maintains a PPA that contains the most recent wireless drivers with DKMS support for rtl8723bu, rtl8822bu, rtl8188eu, rtl8188fu, rtl8192cu, rtl8192du, rtl8192ee, rtl8192eu, rtl8192fu, rtl8723au, rtl8723bu, rtl8723de, rtl8723ds, rtl8723du, rtl8812au, rtl8814au, rtl8821ce, rtl8821cu, rtl8822bu devices.

If you have a RealTek USB WiFi Adapter or a laptop / notebook with built-in chipset in the previous list, do following steps may help you install the drivers in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, Linux Mint 20/21.

1.) First open terminal either from the system application launcher or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard.

2.) Then run command to add the Ubuntu PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelebek333/kablosuz

3.) Then open Synaptic package manager, click Reload button refresh package cache, search either rtl or dkms.

Scroll down to find out the list of driver packages, then right-click on the one for your chipset and select ‘Mark for Installation’, finally click on Apply button to install it.

Or you can run command in terminal to install the driver (replace rtl8723de-dkms in the code):

sudo apt install rtl8723de-dkms

4.) The wireless network should work immediately after you installed the driver. You can manually unload and re-load the kernel module via commands (replace rtl8723de-dkms in the code):

sudo modprobe -r rtl8723de

sudo modprobe rtl8723de

Uninstall the RealTek Wifi Driver:

To remove the driver, either use Synaptic package manager or run apt command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove rtl8723de-dkms

And remove the Ubuntu PPA via command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:linuxmint-tr/wireless-ppa

How to Install gThumb 3.11.2 in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: April 24, 2024

Gnome photo manager and image viewer gThumb 3.11.2 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Linux Mint 20, Pop!_OS 20.04 via PPA.

gThumb 3.11.2 features minor UI improvements including:

  • a proportional zoom increment in image viewer
  • keep the same pixel under the pointer after zooming
  • read color profiles from png files as well.
  • Media viewer: use accurate seeking when clicking on the progress bar.
  • Media viewer: show the pointed time when hovering over the progress bar.
  • Browser: added support for back and forward mouse buttons.
  • Preferences: added option to show/hide the statusbar.
  • Rename files: added a button to revert to the last used template.

And there are some bug-fixes, new or updates translations in the release.

How to Install gThumb via PPA in Ubuntu:

The Dariusz Duma’s PPA seems not being updated except for auto-build packages. So again… I uploaded the gThumb 3.11.2 packages into the unofficial PPA, available for Ubuntu 18.04 (not tested), Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 20.10.

The packages were backported from the Debian Unstable / Ubuntu 21.04 build from this page.

NOTICE: I offer no warranty for any package in this PPA. While they may work for me, you use them at your own risk.

1.) To add the PPA, open terminal and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

2.) You can then either upgrade photo manager 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 photo manager and 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.

Run Ubuntu or other Linux with Gnome Desktop on E-Ink Displays? There’s now an E-Ink Mode Gnome Shell extension allows to easily toggle desktop appearance suitable for the monitors.

What does E-Ink Mode extension do:

  • Switch shell theme to built-in light high contrast one (User Themes extension is not required).
  • Switch GTK and icon theme to High Contrast
  • Switch Cursor theme to DMZ-White
  • Disable shell animations
  • Restore previous themes and animation settings when disable this extension

Though the things can be done manually step by step, the extension make it as easy as a toggle switch in Extensions tool. And so far only Gnome 3.36 (Ubuntu 20.04), GNOME 49 are supported.

How to Install E-Ink Mode extension:

1.) For Ubuntu, first make sure chrome-gnome-shell package is installed. And for the Extensions tool, install thethe gnome-shell-extension-prefs package:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell gnome-shell-extension-prefs

2.) Go to the extension web page and turn on the toggle icon to install it.

Don’t see the toggle icon? Click the link which says “Click here to install browser extension” to install browser extension and refresh the web page.

It should enable E-Ink Mode once you installed the extension. To toggle off or remove it, use Extensions tool.

KeePass password manager 2.47 was released user interface and integration enhancements and minor new features and improvements.

KeePass 2.47 release highlights:

  • Save search parameters as profiles, access via menu ‘Find’->’Search Profiles’.
  • Add ‘XPath expression’ search mode.
  • Add ‘Histop’ option in Find dialog.
  • Add ‘Help’ button in Find dialog.
  • Add auto-type matching option ‘Consider similar dashes as identical’.
  • Add commands ‘Copy Group (Encrypted)’, ‘Copy Group (Unencrypted)’ and ‘Paste Group’.
  • Added {TIMEOTP} placeholder, generates a time-based one-time password.
  • Enhanced XML key file format.
  • Add command ‘Print Key File Backup’.
  • Add command ‘Create Key File’.
  • Add Argon2id key derivation function.
  • Add support for importing Dashlane 6.2039.0 JSON files.
  • Add a few more options in the import/export dialog.
  • Plugins can now disable/enable specific Mono workarounds.

How to Install KeePass 2.47 in Ubuntu via PPA:

Although there’s a Linux native community fork KeePassXC available, KeePass2 is still available to install via an Ubuntu PPA. So far, the PPA supports for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 20.04.

1.) Open terminal and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2

2.) Then refresh system package cache via command:

sudo apt update

3.) Finally install the mono based password safe package:

sudo apt install keepass2

Uninstall KeePass2:

To remove the software package, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove keepass2

And remove the Ubuntu PPA via command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/keepass2