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Archives For November 30, 1999

Firefox 53 Released with Stability Improvements

Last updated: April 20, 2017

Firefox 53

Mozilla Firefox has reached the 53.0 release. It features two new ‘compact’ themes and separate process for graphics compositing.

Firefox 53.0 release highlights:

  • Graphics stability for Windows users with compositor process separation (Quantum Compositor)
  • Two new ‘compact’ themes available, dark and light
  • Reader Mode now displays estimated reading time for the page
  • New visual design for audio and video controls
  • Drop Windows XP, Vista, and 32-bit Mac OS X support.
  • Drop Linux support for processors older than Pentium 4 and AMD Opteron
  • Various security fixes. See the release note

Firefox Compact Themes

Install Firefox 53 in Ubuntu:

The new release will be made into official Ubuntu repository soon, available for Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, Ubuntu 17.04, and derivatives.

Just keep your Ubuntu up-to-date by installing regular updates via Software Updater, and you’ll get Firefox 53 once it’s published in THIS PAGE.

For non-install version, go to the official FTP download page:

Download Firefox 53

Grab the Linux package, extract and run executable file to launch Firefox 53.

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Install Wire Desktop Client in Ubuntu via Its Official Repository

Last updated: April 18, 2017

Wire, an open source, encrypted instant messaging client created by Wire Swiss, finally gets an official APT repository for Debian-based distributions to make it easy to install and receive automatic updates to the app.

The team announced the APT repository for Wire Desktop:

Today we’re happy to take a big step forward — Debian-based distributions (like Ubuntu or Mint) can now get Wire Desktop via APT. You can receive updates of Wire through the update mechanism of your own package management system. Updates are automatic and more secure as we sign the repositories with a PGP key.

Open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T, and get started by following steps to add Wire repository and install Wire for Desktop:

1. If you already installed Wire, uninstall it (don’t worry, your history will be kept):

sudo apt-get remove wire

2. Install apt-transport-https to receive the package via HTTPS

sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https

3. Import the PGP signing key to be able to verify the downloaded package:

sudo apt-key adv --fetch-keys http://wire-app.wire.com/linux/releases.key

4. Add our repository address to your sources list:

echo "deb https://wire-app.wire.com/linux/debian stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wire-desktop.list

5. Finally update and install wire-desktop:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install wire-desktop

After that, you can receive automatic updates to this app via Software Updater utility.

Uninstall:

To uninstall Wire desktop client, run command:

sudo apt-get remove wire-desktop && sudo apt-get autoremove

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

remove wire repository

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How to Set A Custom Screen Resolution in Ubuntu Desktop

Last updated: April 22, 2024

This tutorial ONLY works for Ubuntu on classic Xorg. Since Ubuntu 22.04, it uses Wayland as default, See another way works on both Xorg and Wayland.

Your preferred screen resolution is not available in the Display settings? Well, here I’m going to show you how to add a custom screen resolution in Ubuntu 17.04 (Work on all current Ubuntu releases).

On my Ubuntu 17.04 Desktop, the default 1920X1080 (16:9) resolution is kinda high for me. Though there are options to scale for menu, title bars, and text, I prefer 1600X900 (16:9) which is available in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS by default.

To get my screen resolution, I did the following steps:

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

xrandr

It outputs current screen resolution as well as all available solutions. ALL I need here is the display device name, in my case, it’s eDP-1.

2. Run command to calculate VESA CVT mode lines by given resolution:

cvt 1600 900

Replace 1600 900 (1600X900 in my case) in the command to your desired screen resolution.

3. Copy the Modeline (words with red underline, see previous picture), and run command to add new mode:

sudo xrandr --newmode "1600x900_60.00"  118.25  1600 1696 1856 2112  900 903 908 934 -hsync +vsync
UPDATE: For Ubuntu 17.10 Wayland, run xhost si:localuser:root command first in the terminal window to avoid sudo failure “No protocol specified Can’t open display 0:”

NOTE the command section after --newmode are COPIED from previous step output.

4. Now add the new created mode for your display device:

sudo xrandr --addmode eDP-1 "1600x900_60.00"

Replace eDP-1 (see step1) and "1600x900_60.00" (Step 2 or 3) in the command.

Finally Apply the new resolution in the Display settings:

IMPORTANT: To make Ubuntu remember the new created screen resolution at next start, you have to edit the .profile via command:

gedit ~/.profile

add the last 2 commands to the end, commands in step 3 and 4, and save the file.

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How to Install Emacs 25.1 via PPA in Ubuntu 16.04, 14.04

Last updated: April 15, 2017

While Ubuntu 17.04 includes the latest GNU Emacs 25.1 in its main repository, here’s how to install the editor in Ubuntu 16.10, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 14.04, and Ubuntu 12.04 via PPA.

Emacs 25.1 was released months ago with a wide variety of new features. I’ve written about how to build it from the source. However, a PPA repository will make things easier.

Kevin Kelley has created a PPA with Emacs 25 packages for all current Ubuntu releases. A patch was made into the packages to fix for an `xinput`-related bug that, when triggered, causes `emacs` to enter an infinite loop; the process will then be unresponsive and will consume 100% of a single CPU core until you kill it.

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:kelleyk/emacs

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

2. Then update and install Emacs 25 via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install emacs25

For text-only interface, replace emacs25 with emacs25-nox in the last command.

Don’t know why, but I need to log out and back in to be able to launch Emacs 25 from the Dash.

How to Remove:

To remove Emacs25, open terminal and run commands:

sudo apt remove emacs25 emacs25-nox && sudo apt autoremove

The PPA can be removed by going to System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

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Enable ‘New Document’ Right-Click Menu in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: April 9, 2024

It’s 2024 now! Ubuntu is still lacking the option to create new documents in the default Nautilus file manager. Though, the GNOME developer team is working on this function.

It’s easy to enable the option in Nautilus context menu. As it prompts in Templates folder, simply create an empty document under Templates folder, the file name will be displayed as sub-menu option of ‘New Document’ menu.


Meaning all you need to do is create an empty file and save it under user’s “Template” folder. The file-name will be displayed as sub-menu option of “New Documents” context menu.

Method 1: Use Text editor

First, press Super (the Windows logo) key on keyboard to open ‘Activities’ overview. Then search for and open text editor.

When the text editor opens, you don’t have to input anything, just leave it blank, then press Ctrl+Shift+S to open the “save as” dialog and do:

  • Type filename, which will display as sub-menu option for ‘New Documents’ menu.
  • Choose location – Templates folder.
  • Finally, click Save.

Method 2: Run a single command

For those familiar with Linux command, this can also be done by running a single command.

Firstly, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open a terminal window. When it opens, run command:

touch ~/Templates/Untitled\ Document

This command creates an empty file called ‘Untitled Document‘ in the Templates folder.

Tip: the backslash in the code tells that the space following it is part of the filename since the shell treats whatever comes after a space as a separate argument.

Finally, right-click on blank area in your file manager and see the magic!

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Things To Do After Installing Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty

Last updated: April 13, 2017

Ubuntu 17.04

The final release of Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus was available for download earlier today on April 13.

After installing the new fresh Ubuntu Desktop, you may have some top things to do before it’s ready to use. And here are some of what I did.

1. Check for updates

First of first, check for updates via Software Updater and install kernel patches, security updates, and other system updates.

check updates

2. Install Media Codecs

Due to legal reasons, Ubuntu does not include some media codecs to play video and audio files via the default Totem media player and Rhythmbox music player.

Besides installing VLC, mplayer, MPV, or other media player that come with built-in codecs, you can manually install the multimedia codecs via command (open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

3. Enable DVD Playback

The previous codecs will enable playing normal DVDs. To play encrypted DVDs via VLC, run command to automatically download and install libdvdcss2 library:

sudo apt install libdvd-pkg && sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg

4. Install Unity Tweak Tool.

Unity Tweak Tool is the best and easy to use Unity Desktop configuration tool. It’s one of the must install applications available in Ubuntu Software App.

5. Some Unity Desktop Tweaks

  • Disable recording file and application usage.

    Go to System Settings -> Security & Privacy. At Files & Applications tab, switch off the option to record file and application usage, which will be available in the search dash.

  • Minimize Application when click on its icon in the Left launcher.

    Go to Unity Tweak Tool -> Launcher, check the box says “Minimize single window applications on click”

  • Move the Left Launcher to Bottom.

    Since Ubuntu 16.10, the Unity launcher can be moved from Left to Bottom. Also do this in Unity Tweak Tool -> Launcher:

6. Disable Guest Session from Login Screen

For my personal computer, I don’t need the Guest account. Simply remove it via command (open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T): 

sudo apt install gksu && gksudo gedit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d/50-no-guest.conf

Paste following lines when the command opens an empty file and save it. Restart to apply changes.

[SeatDefaults]
allow-guest=false

7. Auto power off when laptop lid is closed

There’s only “Suspend” and “Do nothing” options for laptop close actions. I’m always want to shutdown Ubuntu when I close the lid, so I edited the logind.conf file via command:

sudo apt install gksu && gksudo gedit /etc/systemd/logind.conf

Uncomment the line #HandleLidSwitch=suspend and change it to HandleLidSwitch=poweroff.

Tip: you can also change the value to HandleLidSwitch=hibernate to hibernate Ubuntu when lid is closed.

Restart or run command to apply the change:

systemctl restart systemd-logind.service

8. Install some useful applications:

  • MPV media player, available in Ubuntu Software.
  • GIMP, An advanced image editor, available in Ubuntu Software
  • Corebird, and GTK3 twitter client.
  • Shutter – Screenshot & annotation tool
  • And more and more…
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How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 17.04 from Ubuntu 16.10

Last updated: April 12, 2017

upgrade Ubuntu 17.04

This is a quick tip for Ubuntu 16.10 desktop users how to upgrade to Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus.

Before getting started, you need to do some preparations:

1. Always make a backup of important data, bookmarks, and other user documents.

2. Remove or disable third-party repositories.

Launch Software & Updates utility, navigate to Other Software tab, and remove /disable all third-party repositories.

3. Restore to open-source drivers.

Also in Software & Updates utility, Additional Drivers tab, switch to the open-source drivers if proprietary drivers are in use. (Need restore after applied changes)

4. And it’s better to choose download from ‘Main Server’ in Software & Updates utility.

5. Make your system up-to-date by running command in terminal:

May need to restart if you have not update your system for a long time.

6. (Optional) Useless packages and software libraries may take a few more minutes upgrading your system. For me, Ubuntu Kylin and Plasma Desktop libraries take quite a few minutes in the upgrading process.

After all, launch Update Manager via the command below and it will prompt that Ubuntu 17.04 is available after checking for updates:

sudo update-manager -d

Click the Upgrade and confirm in the next dialog, follow the wizard util done.

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Install the Latest KeePass2 2.35 in Ubuntu 16.04, 16.10, 14.04

Last updated: January 10, 2021

KeePass2

For those prefer KeePass2 password manager to KeePassX, here’s how to install the latest KeePass 2.35 release in Ubuntu 16.10, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 12.04.

While official Ubuntu repositories only provide an old version, the latest KeePass2 has reached the 2.35 release with a large list of new features and improvements. Here are some of them:

  • New KDBX 4 file format
  • Added Argon2 key derivation function
  • Added ChaCha20 (RFC 7539) encryption algorithm
  • open entry URLs with Firefox or Opera in private mode
  • support for importing mSecure 3.5.5 CSV, Password Saver 4.1.2 XML, and Enpass 5.3.0.1 TXT files.
  • And other more change, see the release note.

How to Install KeePass2 2.35 in Ubuntu:

For all current Ubuntu releases and derivatives, e.g., Linux Mint 17, 18, and Elementary OS Loki, KeePass2 can be easily installed from the Julian Taylor’s PPA.

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/keepass2

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

2. Then you can upgrade KeePass2 from an existing release via Software Updater:

upgrade KeePass2

Or just run following commands to check updates and install the latest release:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install keepass2

For those who don’t want to add the PPA, grab the DEB package from HERE.

How to Restore

For any reason you can easily remove the PPA and downgrade KeePass2 to the stock version in official Ubuntu repositories via ppa-purge tool:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:jtaylor/keepass

Tip: For a list of plugins, e.g., KeeFox, KeeAgent, Keebuntu, and KeePassHttp, go to this PPA.

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Lightweight PDF, XPS Viewer MuPDF 1.11 RC1 Released

Last updated: April 6, 2017

MuPDF Ubuntu 16.04

MuPDF, a lightweight PDF, XPS, and E-book viewer, has reached the 1.11 rc1 release with mainly bug-fixes and some new features.

The MuPDF viewer is small, fast, yet complete. It supports many document formats, such as PDF, XPS, OpenXPS, CBZ, EPUB, and FictionBook 2. It offers command line tools that allow you to annotate, edit, and convert documents to other formats such as HTML, SVG, PDF, and CBZ.

New features in MuPDF 1.11:

  • PDF portfolio support with command line tool “mutool portfolio”.
  • Add callbacks to load fallback fonts from the system.
  • Use system fonts in Android to reduce install size.
  • Flag to disable publisher styles in EPUB layout.
  • Improved SVG output.

How to Install MuPDF 1.11 in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

Besides building the tool from source, there’s an unofficial PPA with the packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, Ubuntu 17.04, 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
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How to Install Arc KDE Theme in Plasma 5 Desktop

Last updated: April 5, 2017

KDE Plasma 5.8

For those who want to install the popular GTK theme ‘Arc’ in KUbuntu. There’s an open-source port for Plasma 5 desktop with a few additions and extras called Arc KDE.

The KDE port includes:

  • Aurorae Themes
  • Konsole Color Schemes
  • Konversation Themes
  • Kvantum Themes
  • Plasma Color Schemes
  • Plasma Desktop Themes
  • Plasma Look-and-Feel Settings
  • Wallpapers
  • Yakuake Skins
  • Extra tools

Ark Dark for Plasma

Arc KDE

To install the theme in KUbuntu 16.04, KUbuntu 16.10, KUbuntu 17.04, open terminal emulator and run following commands one by one:

1. Run command to add the official Arc-KDE PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:papirus/arc-kde

2. Then update and install the theme as well as Kvantum engine.

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install arc-kde kvantum

For better looking, after apply the new desktop theme run kvantummanager to choose and apply Arc Dark Transparent (or another) theme.

For a more consistent and beautiful experience, install Papirus icon theme via commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:papirus/papirus

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install papirus-icon-theme

Tip: to fix the color of the menubar on Arc Dark GTK theme, run command:

sudo sh ~/.local/share/plasma/desktoptheme/Arc-Dark/fix-menubar.sh
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