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Stacer – System Optimizer / Cleaner / Monitor for Ubuntu Desktop

Last updated: June 9, 2019

Stacer is an open-source, CCleaner like system optimizer and application monitor utility for Linux desktop.

Stacer features:

  • Monitoring system resource usage.
  • System cleaner for package caches, application logs.
  • Manage system services, processes, packages, startup applications, apt repositories.
  • Window manager and desktop appearance settings.

How to Install Stacer in Ubuntu:

The software offers .Appimage (non-install executable file) and .deb packages in the project release page:

Stacer also has an stable PPA with .deb packages and future updates for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and their derivatives.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut or from application menu. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:oguzhaninan/stacer

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

2. Then check updates and install the utility via following 2 commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install stacer

Uninstall Stacer:

To remove the utility, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove stacer

And remove the PPA repository from Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

In App Review, Howtos
 

VLC 3.0.7 Released! Improved Blu-ray, MP4 Support (How to Install)

Last updated: June 8, 2019

VLC media player 3.0.7 was released a day ago. The new release features numerous security fixes and many improvements.

VLC 3.0.7 release highlights:

  • Improvements on the Blu-ray support, notably for menus
  • Improve MP4 support
  • Improvements for HDR support on Windows, including for HLG streams
  • Improve Chromecast support with new ChromeCast apps
  • Fixes for UPnP discovery on MacBooks with a TouchBar
  • Fixes for some 10bit and 12bit rendering on Windows 10
  • And numerous security fixes.

How to Install VLC 3.0.7 in Ubuntu:

The official VLC 3.0.7 snap package (containerised software package) is available in Ubuntu Software for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and higher.

For Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and make sure snapd daemon is installed.

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install VLC 3.0.7 snap package via command:

sudo snap install vlc --classic

Once installed, open VLC from your system application launcher and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove the snap package, either use Ubuntu Software or run command in terminal:

sudo snap remove vlc

VLC 3.0.7 PPA:

For those who are looking for traditional VLC .deb package, the unofficial PPA contains the latest VLC 3.0.7 packages for Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Install The Latest Pencil2D Animation Tool in Ubuntu 18.04 & Higher

Last updated: June 7, 2019

Pencil2D is an open-source application to make 2D hand-drawn animations in Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Pencil2D features:

  • open source and free to use even commercially!
  • layers support (separated layer for bitmap, vector and soud part)
  • bitmap drawing, vector drawing, and sound support
  • For more, go to Pencil2D website.

How to Install the Latest Pencil2D in Ubuntu

While Ubuntu universe repositories only provide an old version, the latest Pencil2D flatpak package is available to install via following steps:

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

When terminal opens, run command to install flatpak daemon:

sudo apt install flatpak

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

2. Add flathub repository via command:

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

3. Finally you’re able to install Pencil2D from the flathub repository via command:

flatpak install flathub org.pencil2d.Pencil2D

Once installed, open the tool from your system application menu and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove the Pencil2d flatpak package, simply open terminal and run command:

flatpak uninstall org.pencil2d.Pencil2D
In Howtos, News ,
 

KXStitch Cross Stitch Editor 2.2.0 Rleased (How to Install)

Last updated: June 6, 2019

KXStitch, KDE software to create cross stitch pattern and chart, released version 2.2.0. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04.

KXStitch is a program that lets you create cross stitch patterns and charts. Patterns can be created from scratch on a user defined size of grid, which can be enlarged or reduced in size as your pattern progresses. Alternatively you can import images from many graphics file formats which will allow you to reduce the number of colors and to restrict the conversion to full stitches or optionally use fractional stitches. You may also use images as backgrounds allowing you to trace over them. These imported images can then be modified using the supplied tools to produce your final design.

KXStitch 2.2.0 was released silently. No release note, no changelog. According to the project commits, it’s a bug-fix release with fixes for Qt 5.11 compile issue, importing images for V6 of ImageMagick, and many other issues.

How to Install KXStitch 2.2.0 in Ubuntu:

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/kxstitch

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

2. Then check updates and install the software either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running commands:

sudo apt install kxstitch

Uninstall:

To remove KXStitch cross stitch software, either use Synaptic or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove kxstitch

The PPA can be removed via “Software & Updates” utility under “Other Software” tab.

In Howtos, News ,
 

Disable Purple Splash Screen on Boot in Ubuntu 18.04 / Higher

Last updated: June 5, 2019

This quick tutorial shows beginners how to disable Ubuntu purple splash screen on boot, instead, print kernel startup messages in black and white.

The default Ubuntu splash screen on boot with the indicator meter of progress:

1. To get started, open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu.

When terminal opens, run command to open grub configuration file via text editor:

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

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

2. When the file opens, do:

  • Find out the line says GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
  • Remove splash from in double quotes to disable purple splash screen.
  • Also remove quiet to enable kernel startup messages.
  • There might be other parameters in the quotes, leave them unchanged

In the case (see picture) the line should be finally changed to 

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=""

3. (Optional) If you ever tried plymouth themes, make sure plymouth-theme-ubuntu-text is not installed.

sudo apt remove plymouth-theme-ubuntu-text

4. Finally apply changes by running command:

sudo update-grub2

At the next boot you’ll see the text only startup messages.

In Howtos ,
 

Virtualbox: Share A Folder in Ubuntu Host to Windows Guest

Last updated: June 3, 2019

This quick tutorial shows how to share a folder in Virtualbox Ubuntu host and get access within Windows virtual machine.

One of the top things after installed a virtual machine via VirtualBox is how to transfer files between host OS and guest OS. And this can be done via Shared Folder feature.

1. In Virtualbox (6.0.8 in the case), open Settings of the Windows Guest OS. Then do:

  • Navigate to Shared Folders in left pane.
  • Click ‘Adds new shared folder’ button in the right.
  • In next pop-up dialog do:
    • Folder Path, choose a folder in the Host OS to share with.
    • Folder Name, auto generated after chosen folder.
    • Enable ‘Auto-mount‘.
    • Enable ‘Read-only’ if you DON’T want to add/edit the folder files in Guest.
    • Mount point:, leave it empty.

2. Boot up the Guest OS (Windows 7 in the case), and then go to menu Devices -> Insert Guest Additions CD image.

If you don’t see the Guest window menu, press right-Ctrl + C on keyboard.

3. Open Computer, you’ll see CD Driver marked as ‘VirtualBox Guest’.

4. Go to the CD Driver and click install the exe file to bring up guest addition install wizard.

5. Follow the install wizard until done.

6. Finally reboot the Windows guest OS, and shared folder should be there in ‘Computer’

In Howtos
 

KeePassXC Password Manager 2.4.2 Released (Howto Install)

Last updated: June 2, 2019

KeePassXC, cross-platform community fork of KeePassX, released version 2.4.2 a few days ago with many improvements and security fixes.

KeePassXC 2.4.2 release highlights:

  • Introduce a memory wiping feature to reduce the risk of secrets.
  • Prevent infinite save loop when location is unavailable.
  • Fix opening URL’s with non-http schemes.
  • Fix data loss due to not reading all database attachments if duplicates exist
  • Update group in preview widget when focused
  • Remove non-functional apply button in application settings
  • Linux Snap package fixes and improvements.
  • And fixes to Mac OS, web browser, and others

How to Install KeePassXC in Ubuntu via Snap:

The official snap package (runs in sandbox and auto-updates itself) is available in Ubuntu Software for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, though it’s not updated to v2.4.2 at the moment.

For Ubuntu 16.04, run command to install snapd daemon first:

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install the snap package via command:

sudo snap install keepassxc

How to Install KeePassXC in Ubuntu via PPA:

For those who don’t prefer snap packages, the official KeePassXC PPA contains the most recent .deb packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and Ubuntu 19.04.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

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

2. Then upgrade KeePassXC via Software Updater:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install the latest package:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install keepassxc

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA, open Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove KeePassXC .deb package, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove keepassxc
In Howtos, News
 

Scrn (formerly iTeleport) Available to Install in Ubuntu via Snap

Last updated: June 1, 2019

Scrn, formerly known as iTeleport, is a remote desktop control software that support accessing your computor from anywhere via phone, tablet, other computer, or web browser.

“Scrn is on a mission to help you quickly, easily, and securely access your computer from anywhere. Our patented interface makes it incredibly simple to navigate your computer from your iPhone/iPad, using the touchscreen as a giant trackpad, with intuitive gestures for clicking, dragging, double-clicking and even triple-clicking. Try it out (it’s free!) to see what we mean.

Scrn is built upon WebRTC (a web standard for live video-conferencing and screen sharing), which we’ve optimized for remote desktop. It blows VNC/RDP out of the water. You’ll enjoy a fast (30 frames per second), HD-quality view of your screen, with a user interface that is far superior to anything on the market. You can even control your computer from a browser, no mobile app required: https://scrn.app”

The official Scrn snap package now is available in snap store for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and higher.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply open Ubuntu Software, search for and install Scrn.

For Ubuntu 16.04, first open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install snapd daemon:

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install Scrn snap via command:

sudo snap install scrn

Once installed, launch if from your system application launcher and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove the Scrn snap package, either use Ubuntu Software or run command in terminal window:

sudo snap remove scrn
In Howtos, News ,
 

Disable Super + Num Function Keys in Ubuntu 18.04, 19.04

Last updated: May 31, 2019

In Ubuntu Gnome desktop when you press and hold the Super key and hit a number (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) on keyboard will launch (or switch to) relevant application window from the left dock launcher.

And this quick tutorial is going to show you how to disable this Super hot-keys in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

1. First open Dconf Editor from application menu. Install it via Ubuntu Software if not installed.

2. When dconf editor opens, do:

  • navigate to org > gnome > shell > extensions > dash-to-dock
  • scroll down and find out line says ‘hot-keys‘.
  • finally turn off the switch to disable Super + Num keys.

3. For Ubuntu 19.04, you also need to do following changes in dconf editor:

  • navigate to org > gnome > shell > keybindings
  • looking for switch-to-application-1, switch-to-application-2, …, switch-to-application-9.

  • click to go into the configuration page for each item one by one.
  • turn off default value, and set custom vaule ['']

In Howtos
 

Free Score Writer MuseScore 3.1 Released (How to Install)

Last updated: May 28, 2019

The open-source music notation software MuseScore 3.1 was released today with new features and significant improvements. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu.

MuseScore 3.1 release highlights:

  • Single-note dynamics.
  • Ignificant improvements to automatic placement and layout
  • Automatic placement no longer prevent user from moving elements
  • Fretboard diagrams improvements including:
    • Multiple dots per string
    • Partial and multiple barres
    • Different dot shapes (especially useful for Ted Greene diagrams)
    • Ability to not show nut
    • Customizable distance between strings and frets
    • Chord symbols for diagrams
  • New commands Edit > Paste Half Duration and Edit > Paste Double Duration
  • New command Tools > Unroll Repeats

How to Install MuseScore 3.1 in Ubuntu:

Appimage:

For non-install, single executable appimage, it’s available at the link below:

Right-click the Appimage, go to Properties -> Permissions -> tick the box says ‘Allow executing file as program’, finally run it to launch MuseScore 3.1:

Install MuseScore via PPA:

The official MuseScore3 PPA maintains the latest packages for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and derivatives.

The 3.1 release package will usually available in 2 or 3 days.

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:mscore-ubuntu/mscore3-stable

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

2. Then install MuseScore 3 via command:

sudo apt install musescore3

Linux Mint 19 may need to refresh package cache by running command sudo apt update first.

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

Uninstall:

To remove the software, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove musescore3

To remove the PPA, go to Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News