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How to Install Skype 5.0 For Linux Beta in Ubuntu 16.04, 16.10

Last updated: March 1, 2017

Skype 5.0 for Linux has been announced a few hours ago. It’s now in the beta stage.

Calls to mobiles and landlines with Skype credit
one-to-one VIDEO CALLS support from Linux to Skype for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
View shared screens from other Skype desktop clients
Unity launcher now shows the number of unread conversations
online contacts in contact list now include Away and Do Not Disturb statuses.

How to Install Skype 5.0 for Linux in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

The new release can be installed from the Skype apt repository, simply open terminal from Unity Dash, App Launcher, or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut key and run following commands one by one:

1. Make sure you have ‘apt-transport-https’ installed by running command:

dpkg -s apt-transport-https > /dev/null || bash -c "sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install apt-transport-https -y"

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

2. Download and install Skype GPG key via command:

curl https://repo.skype.com/data/SKYPE-GPG-KEY | sudo apt-key add -

3. Add Skype apt repository to your system via command:

echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.skype.com/deb stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skype-stable.list

4. Finally, install Skype for Linux either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running following commands in terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install skypeforlinux

How to Remove:

For any reason you can remove Skype for Linux either via Synaptic Package Manager or by running the command:

sudo apt remove skypeforlinux && sudo apt autoremove

And you can remove the Skype repository via Software & Updates -> Other Software.

In Howtos, News skype, skype for linux

How to Install FlightGear 2017.1 in Ubuntu 16.04, 16.10

Last updated: February 27, 2017

The FlightGear Flight Simulator has reached the 2017.1 “Bergen” release a few days ago with many exciting new features, enhancements and bug-fixes.

FlightGear 2017.1 release highlights:

Accurate buildings from OpenStreetMap
voice synthesis of tutorial instructions
improved rendering of Earth from orbit
a more realistic blackout/redout system.
See the changelog for more details.

How to Install FlightGear 2017.1 in Ubuntu:

The GetDeb repository has built the new release for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10 and their derivatives. Follow the steps below to install it:

1. Open terminal from Unity Dash, App Launcher, or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut key. When it opens, run command to add the repository:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://archive.getdeb.net/ubuntu xenial-getdeb games" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/getdeb.list'

you may replace xenial (ubuntu 16.04) in the code with yakkety for Ubuntu 16.10.

2. Download and install the GetDeb key via command:

wget -q -O - http://archive.getdeb.net/getdeb-archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

3. Finally update and install FlightGear 2017.1 via command:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install flightgear

For those who have a previous release installed, upgrade FlightGear via Software Updater after adding the repository and key.

How to Remove:

To remove FlightGear, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove flightgear && sudo apt autoremove

And you can remove the GetDeb repository by going to System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

In Howtos flight simulator, flightgear

Install Simple Weather Indicator in Ubuntu 16.04/16.10/17.04

Last updated: February 26, 2017

Simple Weather Indicator is an elegant and very simple system tray applet that displays the current weather condition of the user’s location in Unity and Gnome 3.

The applet is developed with Python and uses two web service calls Ip-api.com and eris.madadipouya.com to detect user’s location and temperature respectively.

Features:

Automatic/manual location detection
Show/hide location
Enable/disable indicator startup
Temperature scale support (Celsius, Fahrenheit)
Rounding weather temperature
Overall weather condition
Humdity level
Wind speed
Weather cloudiness
Weather pressure
Weather visibility

How to Install Simple Weather Indicator via PPA in Ubuntu:

The developer has made the indicator into PPA repository, available for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, Ubuntu 17.04, and derivatives.

To install it, simply open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run following commands one by one to get it from PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kasra-mp/ubuntu-indicator-weather

sudo apt update

sudo apt install indicator-weather

For those who don’t want to add PPA, grab the latest “indicator-weather_x.x-xxx_all.deb” package from:

Simple Weather Indicator Release page

Then click install via Ubuntu Software App.

Uninstall:

To remove the applet, run following command in terminal:

sudo apt remove indicator-weather

And remove the PPA by going to System Settings -> Softwware & Updates -> Other Software tab.

In Howtos simple weather indicator, weather indicator

Ubuntu 17.04 Beta 1 Released for Opt-in Flavors

Last updated: February 24, 2017

The next Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus has reached the beta 1 release earlier today. The beta 1 features images for Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu GNOME, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu Studio, and Xubuntu.

This Zesty Zapus snapshot includes the v4.9 kernel and features:

Kubuntu 17.04 comes with Plasma 5.9, and KDE Applications 16.12.1
Ubuntu Budgie 17.04:
- budgie-desktop stable release v10.2.9
- Latest GNOME 3.24 applications (in beta) together with GTK+ 3.22 window manager
- AppIndicator support is now default
- Terminix is the default terminal
Ubuntu Gnome 17.04 includes GNOME 3.24 Beta, Flatpak 0.8, the Software app 3.22 which now supports Flatpak.

Download Ubuntu 17.04 images:

Xubuntu 17.04: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/zesty/

Ubuntu Studio 17.04: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntustudio/releases/zesty/

Ubuntu Kylin 17.04: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntukylin/releases/zesty/

Ubuntu Gnome 17.04: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-gnome/releases/zesty/

Ubuntu Budgie 17.04: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-budgie/releases/zesty/

Lubunu 17.04: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/zesty/

Kubuntu 17.04: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/zesty/

How to Install MKVToolNix 9.9.0 in Ubuntu 16.04, 16.10

Last updated: June 17, 2018

MKVToolNix, the free and open source Matroska libraries and tools, has reached the 9.9.0 release a few days ago. Here’s how to install it via PPA in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, and Linux Mint 18.

MKVToolNix 9.9.0 release highlights:

chapter editor: added a character set selection in the preferences for text files.
multiplexer: added a column “character set” to the “tracks, chapters and tags” list view showing the currently selected character set for that track.
mkvmerge: added an –engage option “all_i_slices_are_key_frames”
mkvmerge: MP4 reader: “ctts” version 1 atoms are now supported.
DVB subtitle tracks whose CodecPrivate data now is up to the proper five bytes long
Various MP4 input module fixes and other fixes.

How to Install MKVToolNix 9.9.0 via PPA:

The new release is available in its official Linux repository for Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 16.10.

1. Open terminal from your app launcher or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut key. When it opens, run command to add the key:

wget -q -O - https://mkvtoolnix.download/gpg-pub-moritzbunkus.txt | sudo apt-key add -

Type in your password (no visual feedback), and hit enter

2. Then go to System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software tab, click Add and paste following line to add the official repository:

deb http://mkvtoolnix.download/ubuntu/ xenial main

replace xenial (16.04) with yakkety for Ubuntu 16.10.

3. Finally you’re able to upgrade MKVToolNix from previous release via Software Updater

Or install it via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install mkvtoolnix mkvtoolnix-gui

In Howtos mkvmerge GUI, MKVToolNix

How to Install Kernel 4.10 in Ubuntu / Linux Mint

Last updated: February 21, 2017

Linus Torvalds announced the final release of Kernel 4.10 days ago. He wrote on lkml.org:

So there it is, the final 4.10 release. It’s been quiet since rc8, but we did end up fixing several small issues, so the extra week was all
good.

On the whole, 4.10 didn’t end up as small as it initially looked. After the huge release that was 4.9, I expected things to be pretty
quiet, but it ended up very much a fairly average release by modern kernel standards. So we have about 13,000 commits (not counting merges – that would be another 1200+ commits if you count those). The work is all over, obviously – the shortlog below is just the changes in the
last week, since rc8.

Linux Kernel 4.10 release highlights:

Initial mainline GVT-g graphics virtualization support
Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 support.
EXT4 DAX iomap support and XFS iomap support.
Better Microsoft Surface 3/4 support. Wacom MobileStudio Pro class of drawing tablets support
Nouveau Boost support
More ARM platform support, better Raspberry Pi 3 support.
and many other changes.

How to Install Kernel 4.10 in Ubuntu:

The Ubuntu Kernel Team has made the DEB packages for the new kernel, available for download at the link below:

Download Kernel 4.10 (deb)

NOTE that Canonical does not support these Kernel packages. They are not appropriate for production use.

For the Desktop users, you can also use Ukuu a simple graphical tool to install the latest kernels.

For Ubuntu Server or those who prefer the command line, install them via following commands:

For 64-bit system:


cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.10/linux-headers-4.10.0-041000_4.10.0-041000.201702191831_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.10/linux-headers-4.10.0-041000-generic_4.10.0-041000.201702191831_amd64.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.10/linux-image-4.10.0-041000-generic_4.10.0-041000.201702191831_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

For 32-bit system:


cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.10/linux-headers-4.10.0-041000_4.10.0-041000.201702191831_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.10/linux-headers-4.10.0-041000-generic_4.10.0-041000.201702191831_i386.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.10/linux-image-4.10.0-041000-generic_4.10.0-041000.201702191831_i386.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

After installed these debs, restart and enjoy!

Uninstall:

To remove Linux Kernel 4.10, you may first restart and select boot with previous kernel (from Grub boot-loader -> Advanced Options) and then run command:

sudo apt-get remove linux-headers-4.10* linux-image-4.10*

In Howtos Linux Kernel

Install / Remove Hardware Enablement Stacks in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: February 24, 2017

Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS was released 2 days ago with security updates, corrections for high-impact bugs, and hardware enablement stacks for use on newer hardware.

The LTS enablement stacks provide Linux Kernel 4.8 and newer X support, and they are included in the Ubuntu 16.04.2 desktop ISO images.

For original Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 16.04.1 users, you have to manually install the HWE stacks. And below will tell you how:

How to Install Hardware Enablement Stacks:

Open terminal from app launcher or via Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut key. When it opens, run command:

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends xserver-xorg-hwe-16.04

Type in your password (no visual feedback) and hit Enter.

After installation, reboot your computer.

How to Uninstall:

1. I don’t like the new X stack in my laptop, so I removed it via commands:

sudo apt remove xserver-xorg-core-hwe-16.04 xserver-xorg-input-all-hwe-16.04 linux-generic-hwe-16.04 xserver-xorg-video-all-hwe-16.04

You’ll see the command also removes the ubuntu-desktop package. Don’t worry. The following commands will install it back.

2. Then install back the original xserver-xorg via commands:

sudo apt install xserver-xorg-core

sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop xserver-xorg xserver-xorg-video-all xserver-xorg-input-all libgl1-mesa-dri:i386 libgl1-mesa-glx:i386

If you want to remove the new kernel 4.8, reboot and select boot with old 4.4 kernel (grub -> Advanced Options), then see this how to tutorial.

In Howtos LTS Enablement stacks, Ubuntu 16.04

Install I2P Client ‘i2pd’ 2.12 in Ubuntu 16.04, 14.04, 16.10

Last updated: February 16, 2017

i2pd (I2P Daemon) is a full-featured C++ implementation of I2P client.

I2P (Invisible Internet Protocol) is a universal anonymous network layer. All communications over I2P are anonymous and end-to-end encrypted, participants don’t reveal their real IP addresses.

I2P client is a software used for building and using anonymous I2P networks. Such networks are commonly used for anonymous peer-to-peer applications (filesharing, cryptocurrencies) and anonymous client-server applications (websites, instant messengers, chat-servers).

I2P allows people from all around the world to communicate and share information without restrictions.

Features:

Distributed anonymous networking framework
End-to-end encrypted communications
Small footprint, simple dependencies, fast performance
Rich set of APIs for developers of secure applications

So far the latest version is ip2d 2.12 with following changes:

Additional HTTP and SOCKS proxy tunnels
Reseed from ZIP archive
‘X’ bandwidth code
OpenSSL 1.1 for Android and Mac OS X
Some stats in a main window for Windows version
Fixed clock skew for Windows XP
New logo for Android
Reduced memory and file descriptors usage

How to Install i2pd via PPA in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

The project offers DEB binaries for download in its release page.

For those who want to keep it up-to-date, install i2pd using the PPA repository via following steps:

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:purplei2p/i2pd

Type in password (no visual feedback) when it asks and hit Enter.

2. Then update package caches and install i2pd:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install i2pd

When a new release is out, simply launch Software Updater and upgrade it along with other system updates.

Uninstall:

You can remove the PPA anytime using Software & Updates utility under Other Software tab, and i2pd can be removed via command:

sudo apt remove i2pd && sudo apt autoremove

For router setup, tunnel configuration and other documentations, go to the wiki page.

In Howtos I2P, I2P client

How to Install Nvidia 375.39 / 378.13 via PPA in Ubuntu

Last updated: February 15, 2017

NVIDIA Linux driver 375.39 and 378.13, the latest long-lived and short-lived branch versions, were both released yesterday.

Both drivers add support Quadro GP100, P4000, P2000, P1000, P600. P400, M1200, M2200 GPUs support. NVIDIA 378.13 also supports Quadro P3000.

Besides adding new GPUs support, Nvidia 375.39 only brings fixes to hot-plugging displays and resuming from suspend issues.

Nvidia 378.13 adds support for viewing configured PRIME displays in nvidia-settings, support for X.Org xserver ABI 23, and various other changes and fixes. See HERE for details.

Download & Install Nvidia 375.39 / 378.13:

NOTE that following steps is not recommended for beginners! Installing the proprietary drivers may cause blank screen and you have to know how to troubleshoot, such as setting NOMODESET in grub, or remove the driver from command console.

Besides using the official installers from the NVIDIA website, the “Graphics Driver” team has made the new releases into PPA, available for Ubuntu 17.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal from app launcher or via Ctrl+Alt+T key and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa

2. Then update your system package index via command:

sudo apt update

3. Both drivers will finally available for install in Additional Drivers utility.

Select the one you want to install and click Apply Changes button will automatically download and install the driver into your system. Restart your computer once done.

In Howtos Nvidia Driver

Install XFCE Parole Media Player 0.9 via PPA in Ubuntu

Last updated: February 12, 2017

Parole, a modern simple media player for the Xfce desktop, has now reached the 0.9.0 release with a fresh set of features and fixes.

What’s new in Parole 0.9.0:

New “mini mode”, activated from the right-click menu.
New play and replay icons in the player content area. Clicking on these will play or replay your media (finally)!
Most deprecated API calls have been dropped or replaced. We’re not dropping GtkStatusIcon yet, the notification area lives on in Xfce!
Double buffering with the X11/XV video outputs has been reenabled. Ubuntu has been carrying this patch for a while now.
The window title and content title are now set to the playing filename if no ID3 tags are found.
Plugins can now be loaded by name instead of full path (plugin-name.so).
The desktop file and related AppStream have been updated to the now-standard “reverse-DNS” convention (org.xfce.Parole)
Translation updates.

How to Install Parole 0.9 in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

Besides building from the Parole source tarball, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 16.10, Ubuntu 17.04, users can install the 0.9.0 release from PPA repository (unofficial):

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

2. Then upgrade the software via Software Updater (Update Manager) if a previous release is installed:

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

Uninstall:

For any reason you can easily restore Parole media player to the original version available in Ubuntu Software App, by running command in terminal:

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

In Howtos parole media player, xfce

Archives For jimingkui

How to Install Skype 5.0 for Linux in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

How to Remove:

How to Install FlightGear 2017.1 in Ubuntu:

How to Install Simple Weather Indicator via PPA in Ubuntu:

How to Install MKVToolNix 9.9.0 via PPA:

How to Install Kernel 4.10 in Ubuntu:

How to Install Hardware Enablement Stacks:

How to Uninstall:

How to Install i2pd via PPA in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

Download & Install Nvidia 375.39 / 378.13:

How to Install Parole 0.9 in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

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