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Archives For November 30, 1999

How to Install StepMania 5.1.0 Beta2 in Ubuntu 24.04 | 22.04 | 20.04

Last updated: April 22, 2024

StepMania icon

This quick tutorial shows how to install StepMania 5.1.0 Beta2, free dance and rhythm game, in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 24.04

StepMania is a free dance and rhythm game for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It features 3D graphics, keyboard and “dance pad” support, and an editor for creating your own steps.

If you’re looking for the latest stable StepMania 5.0.12, use the unofficial PPA repository instead.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, you can follow the steps below one by one to install StepMania 5.1.0 Beta 2 via the Flatpak package (runs in sandbox).

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu.

When terminal opens, paste command below and hit run to install flatpak framework:

sudo apt-get install flatpak

2. Add flathub repository, which contains the game flatpak package:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Finally install StepMania via command:

flatpak install flathub com.stepmania.StepMania

Once installed, launch the software from application menu and enjoy (if the app icon is not visible, try log out and back in)!

NOTE: After installation, open “Files” (nautilus file manager), press Ctrl+H to show hidden folders, and navigate to .var/app/com.stepmania.StepMania/.stepmania-5.1, and put songs, themes, etc into relevant sub-folders to install them.

Uninstall:

To remove RetroArch flatpak package, run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall com.stepmania.StepMania
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RetroArch 1.7.8 Released with Text To Speech Service (How to Install)

Last updated: August 26, 2019

RetroArch, the official frontend for the libretro API, released version 1.7.8 a day ago with OCR and Text To Speech services.

RetroArch enables you to run classic games on a wide range of computers and consoles through its slick graphical interface.

The latest 1.7.8 release brings new AI service. After setup the server URL (local network or public IP/URL), and bound a button or key via Settings > Input > Hotkeys, you can use the AI service in two mode:

  • Speech Mode – Press hotkey to read out the text currently on the screen.
  • Image Mode – Press hotkey to pause the game and wait for text translation to come back. Press again to continue.

For more details, see the official release note.

How to Install RetroArch 1.7.8 in Ubuntu:

RetroArch can be installed via Libretro Stable PPA, Snap package, or Flatpak package.

As Libretro Stable PPA and Snap package are not updated at the moment, here’s how to install RetroArch 1.7.8 via the Flatpak package in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu.

When terminal opens, paste command below and hit run to install flatpak framework:

sudo apt-get install flatpak

2. Add flathub repository, which contains the RetroArch flatpak package:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Finally install it via command:

flatpak install flathub org.libretro.RetroArch

Once installed, launch the software from application menu and enjoy!

Uninstall:

To remove RetroArch flatpak package, run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall org.libretro.RetroArch
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How to Install ‘Gnome Feeds’ News Readers in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: August 25, 2019

Gnome Feeds is a minimal RSS/Atom feed reader written in Python 3 and GTK+ 3.

It offers a simple user interface that only shows the latest news from your subscriptions. Articles are shown in a web view by default, with javascript disabled for a faster and less intrusive user experience. There’s also a reader mode included, built from the one GNOME Web/Epiphany uses.

Gnome Feeds doesn’t integrate or sync with a cloud-based service, like Feedly or Inoreader, but feeds can be imported and exported via OPML.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu.

2. Paste below command and run to install flatpak framework:

sudo apt-get install flatpak

3. Add flathub repository, which hosts a large list of flatpak applications:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Finally install Gnome Feeds via command:

flatpak install flathub org.gabmus.gnome-feeds

Once installed, launch the software from application menu and enjoy!

Uninstall:

To remove Gnome Feeds flatpak package, run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall org.gabmus.gnome-feeds
In Howtos
 

Kid3 Audio Tag Editor 3.8.0 Released! (How to Install)

Last updated: August 24, 2019

Kid3 audio tag editor 3.8.0 was released today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and derivatives.

According to the changelog, Kid3 3.8.0 features:

  • kid3-cli: Support JSON output.
  • Format codes %{modificationdate} and %{creationdate}.
  • Support ID3v2 GRP1 frame introduced with iTunes 12.5.4.
  • Import from Tags function which operates on selected files.
  • Explicit frame names can be used by prepending a ‘!’ character.
  • Adapt unified frame type mapping for better iTunes compatibility.
  • Support multiple covers in M4A files.
  • kid3-cli: Remove dependencies to GUI libraries.
  • Android: Show info how to write to SD card.
  • Android: Support Qt 5.12.

How to install Kid3 3.8.0 in Ubuntu 16.04/18.04:

The official Kid3 PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and derivatives.

Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, do following steps one by one.

1. Copy and paste following command in terminal and hit run to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ufleisch/kid3

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

2. Then you can upgrade Kid3 from a previous version via Software Updater:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install or upgrade to the latest tag editor:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install kid3-qt

For KUbuntu user, replace kid3-qt with kid3 in the last command for KDE integration.

Uninstall

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

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ufleisch/kid3

To remove the audio tag editor, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove kid3 kid3-*
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Speed Up ‘Alt-Tab’ Task Switcher Popup in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: August 23, 2019

Feel that Gnome desktop ‘Alt+Tab’ popup is slow? There’s by default 0.15 second popup delay when you pressing Alt+Tab on keyboard.

It’s nothing serious for some people including me. But if you want to remove the delay to speed up task switcher popup, it can be done easily via gnome shell extension.

Open Ubuntu Software, search for remove alt tab popup and install the extension.

It takes effect immediately after you installed the extension. And as noted it effects all kinds of pop-ups.

To manage the Gnome Shell extension, install and open Gnome Tweaks, then go to Extensions tab.

In Gnome Shell
 

Translatium – Simply Yet Powerful Translation Tool For Linux

Last updated: August 22, 2019

Translatium is an open-source translation application that translate words, phrases, and text between over 90 languages.

Translatium works in Linux, mac OS, and Windows. And features:

  • auto detect language.
  • Listen to translations using text-to-speech.
  • Take a picture to translate.
  • History support.
  • Personalize your experience with beautiful themes and colors.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, Translatium snap package can be easily installed from Ubuntu Software utility:

For Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and first install snapd by running command:

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install the tool via command:

sudo snap install translatium

(Optional) To remove translatium, either use Ubuntu Software or run command:

sudo snap remove translatium
In App Review
 

Vivaldi Web Browser 2.7 Released with Better Sound Control

Last updated: August 21, 2019

Vivaldi web browser 2.7 was released today. The new version features better sound controls, smoother navigation and overall improvements.

Vivaldi 2.7 release highlights:

  • Add ‘Mute Tab’ option.
  • Add “Mute other Tabs” option in any background tab right-click menu.
  • Ability to create a desktop shortcut to access User Profiles quicker
  • Add a new option for the Flash player plugin (Settings > Webpages > Plugins)
  • Informative Status Bar at the bottom of the window.
  • Improved stability for mac OS.
  • And various other changes.

How to Install Vivaldi 2.7 in Ubuntu:

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

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

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/vivaldi-stable_2.7*.deb

Vivaldi also has apt repository, with it you can install the browser and get future updates through Software Updater utility.

Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by 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.

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Opera 63 Released with Improved Private Mode

Last updated: August 21, 2019

Opera web browser 63 was released a day ago with improved private browsing mode.

Opera 63 release highlights:

  • Improved private browsing mode (also known as incognito mode)
  • Use Bookmarks Bar as default location for saving bookmarks
  • Add “Speed Dial Filtering” feature for Windows.
  • Add improvements to the Snapshot tool: ‘Save page as pdf’ and ‘Copy and close’ options
  • The Bookmarks Bar is now hidden once the last bookmark is removed
  • Remove the double “New window” button when right-clicking on the Launcher bar
  • Updated Chromium version, and various other changes.

How to Install Opera 63 in Ubuntu:

The Opera team offers snap package (runs in sandbox), which is always up-to-date (auto-updates itself). You can simply install it in Ubuntu Software:

Also native .deb package for Ubuntu is available for downloading at the link below:

To receive future updates through Software Updater, add the official Opera apt repository via following steps:

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
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How to Install FFmpeg 4.2 in Ubuntu 18.04 / Linux Mint 19.x

Last updated: December 11, 2019

FFmpeg multimedia libraries 4.2 was released a few weeks ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Linux Mint 19.x.

FFmpeg 4.2, codename “Ada”, is a major release that features:

  • tpad filter, dedot filter, freezedetect filter, lagfun filter, asoftclip filter, colorhold filter, xmedian filter, asr filter, derain filter, deesser filter, anlmdn filter, maskfun filter
  • chromashift and rgbashift filters, truehd_core bitstream filter, AV1 frame split bitstream filter, showspatial multimedia filter
  • dhav demuxer, vividas demuxer, KUX demuxer, IFV demuxer
  • hymt decoder, ARBC decoder, agm decoder, lscr decoder, VP4 video decoder, hcom demuxer and decoder
  • PCM-DVD encoder
  • GIF parser
  • removed libndi-newtek
  • libaribb24 based ARIB STD-B24 caption support (profiles A and C)
  • Support decoding of HEVC 4:4:4 content in vdpau, nvdec and cuviddec
  • AV1 decoding support through libdav1d
  • mov muxer writes tracks with unspecified language instead of English by default
  • added support for using clang to compile CUDA kernels

How to Install FFmpeg 4.2 in Ubuntu:

The unofficial PPA has built the packages for Ubuntu 18.04 and its derivatives.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4

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

2. Two more PPAs are required for the dependencies. Run following commands one by one in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/graphics
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/multimedia

3. You can then upgrade FFmpeg libraries via Software Updater (Update Manager):

Or run commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install ffmpeg

Once installed, you may check the software version via command ffmpeg -v

How to Restore:

The two dependencies PPAs contain many other application packages, you may remove them either via Software & Updates -> Other Software or by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:savoury1/graphics
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:savoury1/multimedia

For any reason, you can downgrade FFmpeg to the stock version in Ubuntu universe repositories by purging the PPA via command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4
In Howtos
 

CopyQ Clipboard Manager 3.9.1 Released (How-to Install)

Last updated: August 18, 2019

CopyQ, open-source clipboard manager with editing and scripting feature, released version 3.9.1 today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu.

CopyQ 3.9.1 release highlights:

  • Commands are moved to a separate configuration file “copyq-commands.ini”.
  • Horizontal tabs in the configuration dialog were replaced with a list of sections so it’s possible to view all of the sections even in a smaller window.
  • New option hide_main_window_in_task_bar can be set using copyq config hide_main_window_in_task_bar true.
  • New logs() script function prints application logs.
  • New clipboardFormatsToSave() script function allows to override clipboard
    formats to save.
  • Some hidden options can be modified using config() script function.
  • Font sizes in items and editor are limited to prevent application freeze.
  • Application icons are cached so as to avoid creating icons for the snip
    animation again.
  • And various bug-fixes.

How to Install Copyq 3.9.1 in Ubuntu:

The official PPA repository has made the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Linux Mint 18.x, 19.x.

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. After added the PPA repository, install CopyQ either via Synaptic package manager or by running commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get 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.

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