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Archives For November 30, 1999

LibreOffice 7.0 Ready to Install via PPA in Ubuntu 20.04/18.04

Last updated: August 10, 2020

LibreOffice

LibreOffice office suite 7.0 was released a few days ago. For those sticking to the PPA .deb packages, you can now install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 19.x, and 20.

LibreOffice 7.0 release highlights:

  • ODF 1.3 document support
  • Skia graphics engine + Vulkan support.
  • Better Microsoft Office DOCX / XLSX / PPTX support.
  • remove Adobe Flash export support
  • HiDPI, import/export, and other improvements.

How to Install LibreOffice 7.0 via PPA:

1. Add the PPA.

LibreOffice 7.0.x specific PPA has been created hours ago contains the latest deb packages. You can add it to your system by launching terminal and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-7-0

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

You may alternatively add the LibreOffice Fresh PPA and wait it to be updated via command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa

2. Install LibreOffice 7.0.

Software Updater utility will keep back the new PPA packages. So you have to run command in terminal to install / upgrade to LibreOffice 7.0:

sudo apt full-upgrade

Uninstall:

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

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-7-0

For any reason you want to revert back to the Ubuntu stock LibreOffice version, instead of removing the PPA, run command to purge it which also downgrade all installed packages:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:libreoffice/libreoffice-7-0
In Howtos
 

Scorewriter MuseScore 3.5 Released with Chord Symbol Playback

Last updated: August 9, 2020

MuseScore, free music composition and notation software, released version 3.5 with long list of new features, bug fixes, and other improvements.

MuseScore 3.5 contains one of the most requested features: Chord Symbol Playback. The feature is disabled by default so far. You can enable it by going to Edit > Preferences > Note Input.

Other features in MuseScore 3.5 include:

  • Much improved support for voices to arts feature
  • Dragging the end handles of hairpins and other lines will change their actual durations.
  • Specify whether transposition should prefer flats or sharps in the key signature.
  • Improved tremolo layout, so you need to do a lot less manual adjustments
  • Support “beamed half note” style of minim-based two-note tremolo
  • Support the Orca screenreader on Linux.
  • See release note for details.

Download / Install MuseScore 3.4 in Ubuntu:

Single executable Appimage package is available for download:

Right-click on the Appimage, then go to Properties -> Permissions, check the box ‘Allow executing file as program’. Finally run the Appimage to launch MuseScore 3.5 and enjoy!

Also MuseScore flatpak package has been updated, and you can install it via following commands.

1.) Open terminal and run command to install flatpak framework in Ubuntu:

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 MuseScore via command:

flatpak install flathub org.musescore.MuseScore

If an old version of this package installed, update it via command:

flatpak update org.musescore.MuseScore

(Optional) To remove MuseScore flatpak package, run command:

flatpak uninstall org.musescore.MuseScore
In News
 

How to Apply Blur Effect in Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, 20.04

Last updated: April 24, 2024

This simple tutorial shows how to apply a blur effect to GNOME Shell UI elements in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 24.04.

Since the previous Blyr extension is no longer updated. Here’s the new “Blur my Shell” extension, which adds blur effects to:

  • top panel
  • dash
  • activities overview
  • and lock screen.

To install the extension, do following steps one by one:

1.) Open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, then run command:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

2.) Go to extensions.gnome.org, and click the link to install the browser integration.

3.) Finally go to Blue my Shell web page, toggle on the slider icon to install the extension.

4.) Install the ‘Extensions’ utility to toggle blur effect:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-prefs

Once installed, search for and open ‘Extensions’. Then click on the gear icon to change the extension settings.

In Gnome Shell
 

The First Point Release of Ubuntu 20.04 Available to Download

Last updated: August 7, 2020

Ubuntu 20.04.1, the first point release for the LTS, was released. ISO images and upgrade from Ubuntu 18.04 are available.

This point release DO NOT contain updated Kernel and X stack. It contains various bug fixes to installation, upgrade, desktop, server and cloud, and Kernel and hardware support updates. See change summary.

Download / Upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04.1:

The desktop and sever ISO images are available for download at the link below:

For Ubuntu 20.04, simply install regular updates via Software Updater will bring you to Ubuntu 20.04.1.

For Ubuntu 18.04, if you want to upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04, do:

  1. Keep your system up-to-date by installing all system updates via Software Updater.
  2. Restart your computer after installing updates if Software Updater asks.
  3. Launch Software & Updates, select Download from “Main sever”.
  4. Still in Software & Updates, under Updates, choose Notify me of a new Ubuntu version “For any new version”.
  5. Finally launch Software Updater. It will prompt that Ubuntu 20.04 available to upgrade.

In News
 

Automatic CPU Speed & Power Optimizer Auto-cpufreq 1.2 Released

Last updated: August 7, 2020

Auto-cpufreq, automatic CPU speed & power optimizer for Linux to improve battery life, released version 1.2 with AMD support.

Different to cpufreq indicator and / or TLP, Auto-cpufreq automatically make “cpufreq” related changes based on active monitoring of laptop’s battery state, CPU usage and system load. Ultimately allowing you to improve battery life without making any compromises.

How to Install Auto-cpufreq in Ubuntu:

Auto-cpufreq is available as Snap package, which can be easily installed from Ubuntu Software:

Don’t like the containerized snap package? You may also download the source tarball which contains an install script:

Extract and go into the source folder, then right-click on blank area and select ‘Open in Terminal’

Finally run the installer via command:

sudo ./auto-cpufreq-installer

How to run Auto-cpufre:

Once installed the tool, you can run it with different flags:

1. Monitor and suggest CPU optimizations by running command:

sudo auto-cpufreq --monitor

2. Run the tool to improve battery life for temporary use (work until reboot):

sudo auto-cpufreq --live

3. Install the daemon so it will work permanently and silently in background.

sudo auto-cpufreq --install

4. Uninstall the daemon to stop the service:

sudo auto-cpufreq --remove

see auto-cpufreq in github

In App Review, News
 

Pinta 1.7 Released! How to Install in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: August 6, 2020

Open source painting software Pinta 1.7 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 18.04.

Pinta 1.7 is the first release in over 5 years. Release highlights include:

  • Added a tab view to switch between images.
  • Rotate / Zoom dialog now supports zooming and panning
  • Added a Smooth Erase tool
  • The Pencil tool can switch between different blend modes.
  • Added support for JASC PaintShop Pro palette files.
  • The transform tools can now rotate in fixed increments by holding Shift.
  • The Move Selected tool can now scale by holding Ctrl.
  • Dragging and dropping a URL (e.g. image from a web browser) to download and open the image
  • Rewritten user guide.
  • See release note for details.

How to Install Pinta 1.7 in Ubuntu:

The Pinta official PPA has made the packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 19,x and 20.

1. Open terminal from system application menu, and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pinta-maintainers/pinta-stable

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

2. Then you can upgrade Pinta from an old release via Software Updater (Update Manager):

or run apt command in terminal to install or upgrade the software:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install pinta

Uninstall:

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

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:pinta-maintainers/pinta-stable

And remove Pinta if you want via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove pinta
In Howtos, News
 

Vivaldi Web Browser 3.2 Released with Improved Pop-out Video

Last updated: August 5, 2020

Vivaldi web browser 3.2 was released today. The new release added a mute button to the pop-out video (picture-in-picture) mode.

Vivaldi 3.2 release highlights:

  • Add mute button to Picture-in-picture window
  • Option to change Close Tab button position
  • Support Alt+F4 to close Task manager
  • Various improvements to Notes Manager
  • Overall improvements and security fixes.

Download / Install Vivaldi in Ubuntu:

The official Ubuntu .DEB packages are available for download at the link below:

Grab the deb matches your OS type, then install it via either Ubuntu Software or Gdebi package manager. Or run command in terminal:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/vivaldi-stable_3.2*.deb

You may also add the official Vivaldi apt repository to your system, to be able to receive the browser package updates via Software Updater utility.

Open terminal by either pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or searching for terminal from application menu. When it opens, run following commands one by one:

1. Download and install the repository keyring:

wget -qO- https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -

Typer user password when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Add Vivaldi repository via command:

sudo add-apt-repository 'deb https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/deb/ stable main'

3. Finally check updates and install the web browser via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install vivaldi-stable

Or upgrade from an old version via Software Updater utility.

(Optional): To remove Vivaldi apt repository from you system, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

In News
 

How to Install Linux Kernel 5.8 in Ubuntu

Last updated: August 4, 2020

Linus Torvalds announced the release of Linux kernel 5.8 two days ago on Sunday. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu and / or Linux Mint.

New features in Linux Kernel 5.8 include:

  • Qualcomm Adreno 405 / 640 / 650 open-source support.
  • AMDGPU TMZ support.
  • Intel Tiger Lake SAGV support.
  • New Arm SoC and platform support.
  • AMD Energy Driver.
  • Initial support for booting POWER10 processors.
  • Intel Tiger Lake Thunderbolt support for Intel’s Gateway SoCs.
  • And many other new features and improvements.

How to Install Linux Kernel 5.8 in Ubuntu:

The mainline kernel packages for Linux 5.8 (64-bit) are now available for download at the link below:

Select generic for common system, and lowlatency for a low latency system (e.g. for recording audio):

  1. linux-headers-5.8.0-xxxxxx_all.deb
  2. linux-headers-5.8.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb
  3. linux-modules-5.8.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb
  4. linux-image-xxx-5.8.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64.deb

Alternatively you can download and install the kernel binaries via terminal commands ( open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T):

cd /tmp/

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-headers-5.8.0-050800_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_all.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-headers-5.8.0-050800-generic_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.8.0-050800-generic_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.8/amd64/linux-modules-5.8.0-050800-generic_5.8.0-050800.202008022230_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Once installed, restart your computer and enjoy!

Uninstall Linux Kernel 5.8:

Restart your machine and select boot with the previous kernel in boot menu ‘Grub2 -> Advanced Option for Ubuntu’. Then run command to remove Linux Kernel 5.8:

sudo dpkg --purge linux-image-unsigned-5.8.0-050800-generic
In Howtos, News
 

How to Install Faenza Icon Theme in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: August 3, 2020

This simple tutorial shows how to install and apply Faenza Icons in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Faenza is a set of icons for Gnome provides monochromatic icons for panels, toolbars and buttons and colorful squared icons for devices, applications, folder, files and Gnome menu items. Four themes are included to fit with light or dark themes/panels.

1.) Install Faenza icons

To install the icon theme, simply open terminal from your system application launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo apt install faenza-icon-theme

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) for sudo prompt and hit Enter.

2.) Apply the icon theme in Ubuntu 20.04:

The icon theme offers Faenza, Faenza-Ambiance, Faenza-Radiance, Faenza-dark, darker, darkest. You can choose one of them in Gnome shell via Gnome Tweaks.

Install Gnome Tweaks either via sudo apt install gnome-tweaks command or from Software utility (if you don’t have it).

In Howtos
 

How to Install Mac OS Catalina Theme in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: August 3, 2020

This simple tutorial shows how to install Mac OS Catalina style Gnome Shell theme and icons in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Following steps include how to install the GTK theme, icon theme, tweak panel appearance, and install useful extensions. When everything’s done, your Gnome desktop will look like:

1. First install Gnome Tweaks and required theme engines.

Open terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard), paste following command (Ctrl+Shift+V) and run to install some required libraries:

sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-murrine gtk2-engines-pixbuf gnome-tweaks libcanberra-gtk3-module libcanberra-gtk-module libglib2.0-dev gir1.2-gtkclutter-1.0

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter.

2. Download / Install Mac OS Catalina Theme:

The light, dark, transparent theme packages are available at gnome-look.org page (under files tab).

Select download one or all of the packages as you want. You may also download “Extra” tarball for wallpaper and fonts.

Then install them via:

  1. Go to Downloads folder and extract all the three tarball.
  2. Open new Files (Nautilus file browser) window.
  3. Press Ctrl+H to display hidden file folders.
  4. Then navigate to .themes folder (create the folder if not exist!).
  5. Finally move the theme package folders from Downloads to .themes.

2. Download / Install Mac OS Icon Theme:

There are a few OS X icon themes available, click here (files tab) to get one of them.

Then install the icons via:

  1. Go to Downloads folder and extract the tarball.
  2. Open new Files (Nautilus file browser) window.
  3. Press Ctrl+H to display hidden file folders.
  4. Then navigate to .icons folder (create the folder if not exist!).
  5. Finally move the icon package folders from Downloads to .icons.

3. Install user theme Gnome Shell extension.

You can skip this step if you have already installed the User Theme extension, and don’t want the Blur effect.

1.) First time installing a gnome shell extension? Do open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, then run command:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

Go to extensions.gnome.org, and click the link to install the browser integration.

2.) Click here to install user theme extension to load shell themes from user directory.

3.) (Optional) Click here to install extension to apply a Blur effect.

4. Apply the Mac OS Catalina Theme and Icon:

Launch Gnome Tweaks and navigate to Appearance, there you can choose themes for Applications, Icons, Gnome Shell.

5. Adjust the left dock panel.

Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run following commands one by one:

  • To move left dock panel to bottom, run command: 
    gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock dock-position BOTTOM
  • To shorten the dock panel, run: 
    gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock extend-height false
  • Move app launcher icon to left: 
    gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock show-apps-at-top true
  • Set dock panel background transparency (range from 0 to 1): 
    gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock background-opacity 0.3
In Howtos