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Audacity 2.3.2 Released with Improvements / Fixes (How-to Install)

Last updated: May 14, 2019

Audacity audio editor and recorder released version 2.3.2 a day ago with some improvements and various bug-fixes. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and higher.

Audacity 2.3.2 release highlights:

Include LAME mp3 encoder (though it’s there in PPA build for long time).
New ‘Select’ button in the track panel to select the whole track.
Audacity mod-script-pipe for driving Audacity from Python now comes with Audacity and can be enabled via preferences.
Type to Create a Label is now off by default.
A plug-in installer for Nyquist now provides a file browser for selecting ‘.NY’ files to install.
And over 20 bugs were fixed in the release.

How to Install Audacity 2.3.2 in Ubuntu:

The unofficial PPA has built the 2.3.2 packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and their derivatives, e.g., Linux Mint 18.x and 19.x.

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/audacity

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

2. If you have a previous version installed, you can upgrade Audacity via Software Updater after adding the PPA.

or run following commands one by one to check updates and install (or upgrade) audacity 2.3.2:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install audacity

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA repository, launch Software & Updates utility and navigate to ‘Other Software’ tab.

To remove Audacity audio software, either use system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove audacity audacity-data

In Howtos, News audacity, audio editor

[Quick Tip] How to Change Desktop Icons Size in Ubuntu 19.04

Last updated: May 13, 2019

In Ubuntu 19.04 Gnome 3.32, the desktop icons now are handled by a gnome shell extension. Though it causes many bugs, the size of the desktop icons is now configurable on the bright side.

1. Open Ubuntu Software, search for and install the Gnome desktop configuration tool gnome tweaks:

2. Launch Gnome Tweaks and navigate to Extensions in the left pane.

Click the gear button to bring up settings for “Desktop icons”. There you’ll be able to change the desktop icons size into 3 values:

Small (48 pixels)
Standard (64 pixels)
Large (96 pixels)

3. (Optional) If the default 3 option sizes do not meet your needs. You can change their default values by editing the extension prefs file.

Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) from application menu, and run command to edit the extension file:

sudo gedit /usr/share/gnome-shell/extensions/desktop-icons@csoriano/prefs.js

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

When the file opens, scroll down and find out 3 lines look like:

const ICON_SIZE = { 'small': 48, 'standard': 64, 'large': 96 };
const ICON_WIDTH = { 'small': 120, 'standard': 128, 'large': 128 };
const ICON_HEIGHT = { 'small': 98, 'standard': 114, 'large': 149 };

Change the numbers in the lines accordingly and RESTART Ubuntu or Gnome Shell to apply changes.

In Howtos desktop icon size

Enable Different Colors for the Default Theme in Ubuntu 19.04

Last updated: May 11, 2019

This quick tutorial shows how to install ‘Yaru-Colors’, default Yaru theme in different colors in Ubuntu 19.04.

Since Ubuntu’s Yaru theme is available only in light and dark, an open-source fork called Yaru-colors makes the default Gnome desktop theme available in different colors: Aqua, Blue, Brown, Deepblue, Green, Grey, MATE, Pink, Purple, Red, Yellow. All colors in light and dark!

To install the theme:

1. First grab the source tarball from the them project page:

2. Extract the tarball, right-click source folder and select ‘Open in Terminal‘

It will open a terminal window and automatically navigate to the theme source folder.

3. Paste below command and hit enter to installer script:

sudo ./install.sh

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

Answer some questions (type number 1, 2, 3, etc.) to select which to install, theme folder (leave blank and hit Enter for default).

4. Once installed, launch Gnome Tweaks (install it via Ubuntu Software) and navigate to Appearance.

There change the values of applications and icons to apply new themes as you want.

Uninstall:

To remove the themes, re-do steps 2 to open the source folder in terminal and run command:

sudo ./uninstall.sh

It runs the uninstall script to remove the icons and themes from your system.

In Howtos Ubuntu theme in different colors, Yaru Colors

Eric Python IDE Available to Install via Snap in Ubuntu

Last updated: May 9, 2019

Eric, a full featured python editor and IDE, now can be easily installed in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and higher via Snap package.

“Eric is a full featured Python editor and IDE, written in Python. It is based on the cross platform Qt UI toolkit, integrating the highly flexible Scintilla editor control. It is designed to be usable as everdays’ quick and dirty editor as well as being usable as a professional project management tool integrating many advanced features Python offers the professional coder. eric includes a plug-in system, which allows easy extension of the IDE functionality with plug-ins downloadable from the net.”

While Eric is always old in the Ubuntu official repositories, Eric snap package is made to easily install the updated version of the IDE in Ubuntu.

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

NOTE there are multi Eric packages in Ubuntu Software, select install the one from Snap Store.

Since snap bundles most required runtime libraries, you’ll find it’s kinda large in download size.

For Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) from app launcher and install snapd first via command:

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install the snap via command:

sudo snap install eric-ide --classic

Uninstall Eric snap package:

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

sudo snap remove eric-ide

In Howtos Eric IDE, Eric Python IDE

Vivaldi Browser 2.5 Released with Razer Chroma Integration

Last updated: May 8, 2019

Vivaldi web browser released new stable version 2.5 today with many exciting new features and improvements.

Vivaldi 2.5 release highlights:

Razer Chroma integration, enables lighting effects on Chroma-enabled devices.
Option to resize the thumbnails on Speed Dials.
Select the previous, next and related tabs using Quick Commands, keyboard shortcuts, or Gestures.
And improvements, bug-fixes to bookmarks, addressbar, quick commands, tab, etc.

How to Install Vivaldi 2.5 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_2.5*.deb

In addition, after installed the .deb package, you can enable Vivaldi apt repository (Softare & Updates -> Other Software) to receive future updates through Software Updater:

In Howtos, News Razer Chroma, Vivaldi

qBittorrent 4.1.6 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 7, 2019

qBittorrent torrent client 4.1.6 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and Ubuntu 19.04.

qBittorrent 4.1.6 is a bug-fix release with following changes:

Force recheck multiple torrents one by one in all possible cases.
Don’t query Google for tracker favicons, for privacy reasons
Work around the crash occurred in QTimer.
Increase the .torrent file download size limit to 100 MiB
Disable downloading tracker favicons by default. Works around reported crashes in Linux.
WEBUI improvements and fixes.
SEARCH: Make num enter key work the same as return in searchjobwidget
Make window title bar icon work in Wayland
Update appdata.xml file for Linux

How to Install qBittorrent 4.1.6 in Ubuntu:

The official qBittorrent PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and Ubuntu 19.04.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching “Terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable

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

2. To upgrade from a previous release, launch Software Updater and you’ll see qBittorrent available for upgrade after checking for updates.

Or run commands below to install /upgrade it from terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install qbittorrent

Uninstall:

To remove qBittorrent PPA, go to Software & Updates -> Other Software, or run command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:qbittorrent-team/qbittorrent-stable

To remove the bittorrent client, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove qbittorrent

In Howtos, News qbittorrent

Linux Kernel 5.1 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: May 6, 2019

The latest stable Linux Kernel 5.1 was released. Linus Torvalds announced last night:

So it’s a bit later in the day than I usually do this, just because I was waffling about the release. Partly because I got some small pull requests today, but mostly just because I wasn’t looking forward to the timing of this upcoming 5.2 merge window.

…

On the whole, 5.1 looks very normal with just over 13k commits (plus another 1k+ if you count merges). Which is pretty much our normal size these days. No way to boil that down to a sane shortlog, with work all over.

…

Linux 5.1 brings many exciting changes including improved support for Intel Fastbook (enabled by default), Intel 22260 WiFi support, new I/O interface, new ACPI support, Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ support by mainline, and a lot of new hardware support.

How to Install Linux Kernel 5.1 in Ubuntu:

The mainline kernel packages for Linux 5.1 are available for download at the link below:

Depends on your OS type, download and install the packages in turns:

linux-headers-5.1.0-xxxxxx_all.deb
linux-headers-5.1.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64(/i386).deb
linux-modules-5.1.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64(/i386).deb
linux-image-xxx-5.1.0-xxx-generic(/lowlatency)_xxx_amd64(/i386).deb

Select generic for common system, and lowlatency for a low latency system (e.g. for recording audio), amd64 for 64bit system, i386 for 32bit system, or armhf, arm64, etc for other OS types.

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

For 64-bit OS:

cd /tmp/

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.1/linux-headers-5.1.0-050100_5.1.0-050100.201905052130_all.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.1/linux-headers-5.1.0-050100-generic_5.1.0-050100.201905052130_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.1/linux-image-unsigned-5.1.0-050100-generic_5.1.0-050100.201905052130_amd64.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.1/linux-modules-5.1.0-050100-generic_5.1.0-050100.201905052130_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

for 32-bit OS:

cd /tmp/

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.1/linux-headers-5.1.0-050100_5.1.0-050100.201905052130_all.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.1/linux-headers-5.1.0-050100-generic_5.1.0-050100.201905052130_i386.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.1/linux-image-5.1.0-050100-generic_5.1.0-050100.201905052130_i386.deb

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.1/linux-modules-5.1.0-050100-generic_5.1.0-050100.201905052130_i386.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Once installed, restart your computer and enjoy!

Uninstall Linux Kernel 5.1:

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 5.1:

sudo dpkg --purge linux-image-5.1.0-050100-generic linux-image-unsigned-5.1.0-050100-generic

In Howtos, News Linux Kernel, Linux Kernel 5.1

Qmmp Audio Player 1.3.2 Released with Fixes for Wayland

Last updated: May 5, 2019

Qmmp, Qt-based multimedia player, 1.3.2 was released last night with new features and various bug-fixes.

Qmmp 1.3.2 (and 0.12.2 for qt4) features:

added feature to play track on double click in the history plugin;
enabled mpg123 decoder for Windows;
using album cover from file by default;
fixed lyrics plugin;
fixed API documentation;
fixed issue with read-only mode for FLAC files;
fixed issue with missing properties for some CUE tracks;
fixed shortcuts displaying in context menus under Qt 5.10 or higher (1.3.2 only);
fixed Qt 5.13 support (1.3.2 only);
fixed crash under Wayland session (1.3.2 only);
fixed freezing on some corrupted files in the ffmpeg plugin;
fixed crash on some streams in the ffmpeg plugin;
fixed file type determination by content in the mpeg plugin.

How to Install Qmmp 1.3.2 in Ubuntu:

Qmmp 1.3.2 (and 0.12.2 for qt4) are available to install via its official PPA, for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, Linux Mint 18.x and 19.x.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or from app launcher, and then run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:forkotov02/ppa

Input your password (no asterisks feedback while typing) and hit Enter to continue.

2. If a previous version exists, upgrade Qmmp using Software Updater:

Or run commands to install or upgrade Qmmp and its plugins:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install qmmp qmmp-plugin-pack

For qt4 version, use qmmp-qt4 and qmmp-plugin-pack-qt4 instead in the last command.

Uninstall:

You can manage the PPA repository via Software & Updates utility, under Other Software tab.

To remove Qmmp music player, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove qmmp qmmp-*

In Howtos, News qmmp

Slimbook – Another Battery Saving Tool for Ubuntu

Last updated: May 4, 2019

Slimbook battery is a battery optimization tool that works on Gnome, KDE, Unity, Cinnamon, and MATE desktop.

The software offers a system tray application indicator with three energy modes: Energy Saving, Balanced, and Maximum Performance. Also an ‘Off‘ menu option is available to turn off the optimization.

Each energy mode comes with default values. User is allowed to change the most important values via the Preferences (Advanced mode).

How to Install Slimbook battery in Ubuntu:

Slimbook’s official PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and their derivatives.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:slimbook/slimbook

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

2. Then refresh system package cache and install the tool:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install slimbookbattery

Once installed, launch it from application menu and enjoy!

Uninstall:

To remove the tool, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove slimbookbattery

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

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

In App Review battery saving

Brackets 1.14 Released with PHP Tooling, LSP Support (How to Install)

Last updated: May 2, 2019

Brackets 1.14 was released with PHP, Language Server Protocol support. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04.

Brackets 1.14 release highlights:

Language Server Protocol support.
PHP Tooling support. Tooling includes: Code Hints, Parameter Hints, Linting, Jump To Definition, Find References, Find Document/Project Symbols.
Framework for in-app notifications
Auto-update bug fixes
Update notification targeted to a specific platform