UbuntuHandbook

Curlew Media Converter 0.2.5 Released with Merging File Support

Last updated: May 26, 2018

Free and open-source multimedia converter Curlew 0.2.5 was released today with great new features and enhancements.

Curlew is a GTK3 software written in Python and uses ffmpeg/avconv for media encoding. The latest Curlew 0.2.5 features:

Add option to include all audio tracks of file.
Add support for merging files.
Add Fade In/Out filter feature.
Add paste “from the Clipboard” feature.
Use Home directory as default converting destination.
Hide unused page/widget.
Add xplayer to players list.
Colored buttons (Convert/Close).
Removed CSD option.
Deleted stdeb config files and use native debian packaging system.
Fix disabled convert button issue.
Bug fixes, code enhancements, and translation updates.

How to install Curlew 0.2.5 in Ubuntu:

The software offers pre-compiled .deb package available for download at the link below:

Download Curlew (.deb)

To install the .deb package in Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 18.04, either use Gdebi package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/curlew_0.2.5-1_all.deb; sudo apt-get -f install

Uninstall:

To remove the software, simply run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove curlew

In Howtos, News curlew, media converter

How to Change Screen Notification Position in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 25, 2018

This quick tip shows you how to change the position of on screen notifications in Ubuntu 18.04 Gnome desktop.

I’ve written about how to customize on screen notifications in Ubuntu Unity by installing a patched version of Notify OSD daemon.

Ubuntu 18.04 ships with Gnome 3 desktop by default. Desktop appearances can be tweaked by installing Gnome Shell extensions.

1. For those never installed a Gnome Shell extension, click the link below to install some required packages:

Preparation for installing Gnome extensions

2. Panel OSD is a Gnome extensions that allows to move screen notification position, and change time-out delay.

Go to the link below in your web browser and turn on the switch to install the extension:

Install “Panel OSD” extension

3. Once installed the extension, install Gnome Tweaks in Ubuntu Software, and configure it in Gnome Tweaks -> Extensions tab.

In Howtos Notify-OSD

HPLIP 3.18.5 Released with Numerous New Printers Support

Last updated: May 24, 2018

HP Linux Imaging and Printing

HPLIP 3.18.5, HP developed Linux drivers for HP inkjet and laser based printers, was released a few hours ago.

HPLIP 3.18.5 brings a large list of new printers support:

HP DesignJet T1700 / T1700dr PostScript
HP Color LaserJet Pro M253a, M254dn, M254n, M254dne, M254nw, M254dw, M254cnw, M253nw, M253cnw, M254cdw.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M180nw, M181fw, M179fw, M179cfw, M181fnw, M181cfw, M180n, M178cn, M178n, M180cn
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw, M279fdw, M281cdw, M281fdn, M281dne, M278dn, M280nw, M278nw, M278cw, M280cnw, M280c2
HP Color LaserJet Pro M154a
HP Color LaserJet M153a, M153b, M153nw, M153cnw, M153c1, M154b, M154nw, M153c1, M154cnw, M154c1
HP PageWide Managed Color MFP P77440dn, P77440dn, P77940dns, P77940dn, P77940dn+, P77950dns, P77950dn, P77950dn+, P77960dns, P77960dn, P77960dn+

Download / Install HPLIP 3.18.5:

To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.18.5.run” from the link below:

HPLIP Download Page

Then open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or search for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command:

cd ~/Downloads/ && chmod +x hplip-3.18.5.run && ./hplip-3.18.5.run

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

Then follow the terminal outputs, answer some questions to build and install HPLIP on your system. When everything is done, plug/re-plug your printers and enjoy!

In Howtos, News HP Print Driver for Linux, HPLIP

SMPlayer 18.5 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 23, 2018

SMPlayer media player 18.5.0 was released earlier today with enhancements and a few bug-fixes. Here’s how to install it in all current Ubuntu releases via PPA.

SMPlayer 18.5.0 release highlights:

Now the YouTube live streams work on Windows as well.
A problem which might prevent SMPlayer to open filenames with unicode characters in Windows has been fixed.
Fix: the cursor keys should now work in the playlist.
Now it’s possible to select which multimedia keys should be used as global shortcuts (Preferences -> Keyboard and mouse).
The multimedia key events are sent twice on some systems, making some keys (like volume mute or play/pause) almost unusable. This version tries to detect it and prevent it.
“opus” has been added to to the list of audio extensions.

SMPlayer with Mac skin

How to Install SMPlayer 18.5 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 18.04, and derivatives, do following steps to install or upgrade SMPlayer via its PPA repository.

1. Search for and launch “terminal” from application launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:rvm/smplayer

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) when it asks and hit Enter.

Smplayer PPA

2. Then upgrade SMPlayer using Software Updater (or Update Manager):

upgrade smplayer

or run commands in terminal to install (or upgrade) the media player:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install smplayer smtube smplayer-themes

Uninstall:

To remove SMPlayer, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove smplayer smtube smplayer-*

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

In Howtos, News SMPlayer

GIMP 2.10.2 Released with HEIF Support (How to Upgrade)

Last updated: May 22, 2018

GIMP 2.10.2, the first bug-fix release for the GIMP 2.10 series, was released 2 days ago. And now you can easily install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and derivatives.

GIMP 2.10.2 release highlights:

Add HEIF image format support both for loading and export
Spherize filter to wrap an image around a spherical cap
Recursive Transform filter to create a Droste effect
Single-window screenshots improvement for Windows.
Histogram computation improvement which eliminates some UI freezes
Document update and a total of 44 bug-fixes.

How to Install GIMP 2.10.2 via PPA in Ubuntu:

The new release has been made into PPA repository for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10.

Ubuntu 16.04 is not supported at the moment due to inextricably Glib dependencies.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp

Type your password (no visual feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. After added the PPA, you can upgrade to GIMP 2.10.2 from an existing release using Software Updater (Update Manager):

or run commands one by one in terminal to install or upgrade GIMP:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install gimp

Tip: apt update command is not required for Ubuntu 18.04 since it automatically refresh repository caches after adding PPA.

How to Restore:

For any reason, you can restore to the old GIMP 2.8.22 by running following command in terminal to purge the PPA:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp

In Howtos, News gimp, image editor

How to Install MuPDF 1.13.0 in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 21, 2018

MuPDF Ubuntu 16.04

This quick tutorial is going to show you how to install the latest MuPDF viewer 1.13.0 in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10.

MuPDF is a lightweight PDF, XPS, and E-book viewer that consists of a software library, command line tools, and viewers for various platforms.

The latest MuPDF 1.13.0 is primarily a bugfix release that features:

New “mutool sign” tool for showing and verifying digital signatures.
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Cyrillic, and Greek font support in mutool create.
Improvements to annotation editing API.
And some security fixes.

How to Install MuPDF 1.13.0 in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

Besides building the tool from source, there’s an unofficial PPA with the packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and their derivatives.

1. Open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T or searching for “Terminal” from start menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

Type in password (no visual feedback due to security reason) when it asks and hit Enter.

2. Then install mupdf and mupdf-tools packages either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running following commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install mupdf mupdf-tools

If you have a previous release installed, simply launch Software Updater to upgrade the tool after checking for updates.

To use the PDF/XPS viewer, right-click on your file and select open with MuPDF. You can also set MuPDF as default in the Properties window.

Uninstall:

To restore MuPDF to the stock version available in your Ubuntu’s main archive, run command in terminal to purge the PPA:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

In Howtos MuPDF, pdf viewer

Gnome Twitch 0.4.2 Released! How to Install it in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: May 19, 2018

GTK+ Twitch application ‘Gnome Twitch’ reached the 0.4.2 release after a year of development.

Gnome Twitch 0.4.2 fixed some minor bugs. The new release fixed crashes on opening stream due to requests must be made over SSL, by using new Twitch API URL over SSL.

Install Gnome Twitch 0.4.2 in Ubuntu 18.04

For Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, you can install the new release package from the PPA (unofficial).

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

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

2. If a previous version of Gnome Twitch was installed, upgrade it via Software Updater:

or run command in terminal to install (or upgrade) gnome twitch:

sudo apt-get install gnome-twitch

Uninstall:

You can remove PPA repositories via Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

To remove the Twitch app, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove gnome-twitch

In Howtos, News Gnome Twitch, Twitch Client

How to Install 0 A.D. alpha 23 in Ubuntu 18.04/16.04

Last updated: May 18, 2018

0 A.D. PPA

A new release of the free, open-source real-time strategy game of ancient warfare, 0 A.D. Alpha 23 “Ken Wood”, was released a day ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 16.04.

New features in 0 A.D. Alpha 23 according to the release note:

New Civilization: Kushites
Mod Downloader
Cavalry and Spartan Building Models
Combine Victory Conditions
Attack Range Visualization
Diplomacy Colors
Destruction Damage
Unit Information Dialog
AI Behavior
Lobby Authentication to prevent impersonation
Nomad Mode on all Random Maps
New Random Maps: Lower Nubia, Jebel Barkal, Elephantine, Fields of Meroë, Hellas, Dodecanese, Scythian Rivulet

How to Install 0 A.D. alpha 23 in Ubuntu:

The Wildfire Games team offers an official PPA that contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10, and their derivatives.

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wfg/0ad

Type your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) when prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade the game from an existing release via Software Updater:

Or simply run commands to update and install the game:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install 0ad 0ad-data

Uninstall:

Purge the PPA via the following command will remove the PPA as well as downgrade 0 A.D. to its stock version in your Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:wfg/0ad

If you still want to remove the game, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove 0ad 0ad-data

In Howtos, News 0 A.D., game

How to Install VLC 3.0.2 in Ubuntu 16.04 via PPA

Last updated: November 4, 2018

The latest VLC 3.0.2 will soon be available in Ubuntu 18.04 repository (published as proposed at the moment). For Ubuntu 16.04 users who prefer traditional VLC packages to the snap, here’s how to install VLC 3.0.2 via a PPA repository.

NOTE: The PPA build does not support Chromecast, upgrade to Ubuntu 18.04 if that’s important to you.

1. Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcuts or by searching for ‘terminal’ from app launcher.

2. When terminal opens, run command to add the third-party VLC PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonathonf/vlc-3

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

3. Run following 2 commands to add the PPAs for updated FFmpeg and Meson libraries:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonathonf/ffmpeg-4

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonathonf/meson

4. Finally upgrade VLC media player using Software Updater.

Or run command in terminal to install VLC 3.0.2 in Ubuntu 16.04:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install vlc

How to Restore:

You can revert back to stock version of VLC (2.2.2) in Ubuntu 16.04 by purging the PPA via command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:jonathonf/vlc-3

Also downgrade the FFmpeg libraries by purging the dependency PPA if you want:

sudo ppa-purge ppa:jonathonf/ffmpeg-4

In Howtos vlc media player

One Command to Install Wallpapers from Old Ubuntu Releases

Last updated: May 16, 2018

Ubuntu 18.04

Each Ubuntu release ships a list of wallpaper images in /usr/share/backgrounds directory. These default wallpapers from old Ubuntu releases can be installed easily in your current Ubuntu desktop via a single command.

Open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for “terminal” from application menu.

When the terminal opens, run single command to install default wallpapers from Ubuntu 6.10, Ubuntu 7.04, Ubuntu 7.10, Ubuntu 9.10 to current.

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-wallpapers-* edgy-wallpapers feisty-wallpapers gutsy-wallpapers

Don’t know why, but there’s no default wallpapers packages for Ubuntu 8.04, Ubuntu 8.10, and Ubuntu 9.04.

Once installed, launch System Settings and navigate to background settings page. There you’ll find a large list of old wallpapers available for choice: