UbuntuHandbook

Mechvibes: Play Mechanical Keyboard Sounds When You Type

Last updated: March 8, 2020

Mechvibes is a desktop application that plays mechanical keyboard key-press sound when your type on your keyboard.

It’s a side project that I made for myself since when I use my own mechanical keyboard at late night or in the office and my parents and my coworkers hate that a lot because the sound of the keyboard is very loud (especially in quiet places). So if you are facing this issue just like me then this product is for you!

With Mechvibes, you can:

Set custom keyboard sound set by recording any sound you like
Use your laptop keyboard or non-mechanical keyboard at work and still hear your loved sound.
Use this app as any purpose as you want

How to Install Mechvibes in Ubuntu:

The software can be easily installed in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher via Snap package in Ubuntu Software utility.

Once installed, launch the software from system application menu. And you may read the official document about Mechvibes Editor.

In App Review play key-press sound

GScan2PDF 2.6.5 Released with Stability Improvements [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: March 7, 2020

Gscan2pdf, a graphical tool to produce PDF / DjVu from scanned document, released version 2.6.5 with some bug fixes and improvements. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases.

As a new monthly release, Gscan2pdf 2.6.5 includes following changes:

Fixed bug when editing page number causing page to deselect and thumbnails to scroll to top of list
Use a scrolled window in the multiple message dialog to prevent it from growing too large.
Use the “Don’t show these messages again” checkbox to switch the checkboxes for the individual messages. Set the button inconsistent if the states are not all the same.
Fix warning message about pdftk (again) by making sure that user-defined tmp directory is available in time.
Improve responsiveness with OCR output (again)
Select # pages = all when switching from reverse->facing.
Show “waiting” cursor for longer to prevent scans from being started before all options applied.
Respect ‘Use timezone from locale’ option when setting file system timestamp
Updated translations.

How to Install gscan2pdf 2.6.5 in Ubuntu:

The official Gscan2PDF PPA has made the new release packages for all current Ubuntu releases, and their derivatives, including Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint 18.x and 19.x

1. Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jeffreyratcliffe/ppa

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

2. For those who have a previous release installed, upgrade it through Software Updater:

upgrade gscan2pdf

Or run following command in terminal to install or upgrade the software:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install gscan2pdf

How to Remove:

To remove gscan2pdf, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove gscan2pdf

And the PPA can be removed via Software & Updates utility, under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News gscan2pdf

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:

Colorpick Github

In App Review color picker

OpenShot 2.5.1 Released, How to Install it via PPA

Last updated: March 4, 2020

OpenShot Video Editor

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:

Delta Chat Download

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:

upgrade Kodi

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

HP Linux Imaging and Printing

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:

HPLIP Download Page

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

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:

Download Opera for Linux

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.