Archives For jimingkui

Photoflare is an open-source simple and powerful image editing software inspired by PhotoFiltre.

Photoflare is written in C++ with Qt5 framework. It works on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS, and features basic image editing capabilities, paint brushes, image filters, colour adjustments and more advanced features such as Batch image processing.

Besides the community version, the software also offers studio edition requires to pay for packages.

Features of Photoflare include:

  • Simple but powerful, and very fast to do everything.
  • Works on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS.
  • Basic image editing capabilities
  • Paint brushes
  • Image filters
  • Color adjustments
  • And more advanced features such as Batch image processing.

How to Install Photoflare in Ubuntu:

Option 1: Ubuntu PPA

The software has a stable PPA which so far contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 23.10.

1.) To add the PPA, open terminal either from system application launcher or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens,  run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:photoflare/photoflare-stable

2.) After adding PPA, update system package cache and install the image editor via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install photoflare

Option 2: Flatpak package

For choice, user can install the software as Flatpak runs in sandbox environment. Meaning even the old Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04 can install the latest version of this image editing app.

1. (Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04 only) First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, run command to add the Flatpak PPA for old Ubuntu that don’t have the package in system repository:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:flatpak/stable

Type user password when it asks (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue. Next, run sudo apt update to refresh system package cache.

2. Then, run command to enable Flatpak support:

sudo apt install flatpak

3. Finally, install the app as Flatpak package by running the command below in terminal:

flatpak install https://dl.flathub.org/repo/appstream/io.photoflare.photoflare.flatpakref

Once installed, search for and launch the app either from start menu or ‘Activities’ overview depends on your desktop environment. If app icon not visible, try log out and back in to apply path environment changes.

And for future versions, use the command to check updates:

flatpak update io.photoflare.photoflare

Uninstall Photoflare:

To remove Photoflare image editor, either use your system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove photoflare

And remove the PPA either via Software & Updates under Other Software tab, or by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:photoflare/photoflare-stable

To uninstall the Flatpak package, use command:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data io.photoflare.photoflare

Also run flatpak uninstall --unused to remove useless run-time libraries.

Mainline is a graphical tool to install the latest mainline Kernel in Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and derivatives.

Mainline (Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer) is an open-source fork of ukuu, which now is pay for use. It offers a simple interface with updated list of the “mainline” Kernels, allows to one-click install, remove, or purge Kernels in Ubuntu-based distributions.

Mainline features:

  • Fetches list of available kernels from Ubuntu Mainline PPA
  • Optionally watches and displays notifications when a new kernel update is available
  • Downloads and installs packages automatically
  • Display available and installed kernels conveniently
  • Install/remove kernels from gui
  • For each kernel, the related packages (headers & modules) are installed or removed at the same time

How to install Mainline in Ubuntu:

NOTE: The mainline kernels are provided by Ubuntu Kernel Team for testing and debugging purposes. They are not supported and are not appropriate for production use. You should only install these if they may fix a critical problem you’re having with the current kernel.

The software has an official PPA so far contains packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, and derivatives.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cappelikan/ppa

2.) Then check updates and install the tool via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install mainline

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:cappelikan/ppa

To remove the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer, run command:

sudo apt remove mainline

Ubuntu 18.04.5 Released with Linux 5.4 Kernel

Last updated: August 14, 2020

Ubuntu 18.04

The Ubuntu team announced the release of Ubuntu 18.04.5 and Ubuntu 16.04.7 last night.

While Ubuntu 16.04.7 comes with only security package updates and other fixes, Ubuntu 18.04.5 includes an updated hardware enablement stack from Ubuntu 20.04.

With Linux Kernel 5.4, WiFi should work out-of-the-box in Ubuntu 18.04.5 with RTL8723DE (tests in my HP 246 G6 laptop).

Also users of Ubuntu 16.04 LTS will be offered an automatic upgrade to 18.04.5 via Update Manager.

Get Ubuntu 18.04.5 / Ubuntu 16.04.7

For Ubuntu 18.04.4 and previous, you’ll be automatically update to v18.04.5 after installing all system updates.

If you were updated from the original Ubuntu 18.04, and you never installed the hardware enablement stack, you may run command to get the latest kernel:

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-18.04

For ISO images, go to releases.ubuntu.com

GNU Emacs 27.1 was released after almost one year of development. Here is what’s new and how to install it in Ubuntu.

Emacs 27.1 contains a wide variety of new features, including:

  • Built-in support for arbitrary-size integers
  • Text shaping with HarfBuzz
  • Native support for JSON parsing
  • Better support for Cairo drawing
  • Portable dumping used instead of unexec
  • Support for XDG conventions for init files
  • Additional early-init initialization file
  • Lexical-binding is used by default
  • Built-in support for tab bar and tab-line
  • Support for resizing and rotating of images without ImageMagick

How to Get Emacs 27.1 in Ubuntu:

Emacs is available Snap Store, v27.1 will be available very soon.

To install Emacs Snap, simply search for and install Emacs in Software utility.

Emacs flatpak package has been updated. It’s available to install in flathub repository.

To install Emacs flatpak, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run following commands one by one:

sudo apt install flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
flatpak install flathub org.gnu.emacs

NewFlash, spiritual successor to FeedReader, is a modern feed reader designed for the GNOME desktop.

NewsFlash is a program designed to complement an already existing web-based RSS reader account. It combines all the advantages of web based services like syncing across all your devices with everything you expect from a modern desktop program: Desktop notifications, fast search and filtering, tagging, handy keyboard shortcuts and having access to all your articles as long as you like.

NewFlash so far support for:

  • Miniflux
  • feedly
  • local RSS
  • fever
  • feedbin

How to Install NewFlash Feed Reader:

The software officially is available as flatpak in Flathub repository for most Linux desktops.

Ubuntu 18.04 and higher can install it by running following commands one by one:

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 NewFlash via command:

flatpak install flathub com.gitlab.newsflash

When a new release is out, you can update the package by running command:

flatpak update com.gitlab.newsflash

(Optional) To remove the feed reader, run command:

flatpak uninstall com.gitlab.newsflash

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

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:

MuseScore Appimage

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

gnome shell

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.

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:

Download Ubuntu 20.04.1

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.

CPU-G

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:

Auto-cpufreq tarball

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