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Opera 38 Released with New Power-Saving Mode

Last updated: June 8, 2016

Opera browser 38 was released earlier today with new power-saving mode, which offers up to 50 longer battery life and avoids overheating.

By reducing background tabs activity and frame rate, using hardware accelerated video codecs in video-playback, pausing themes’ animations, auto-pausing unused plugins, including ad blocker, the new power-saving mode increases as much as 50% battery life comparing to other browser, and keeps your laptop over 3 degrees °C cooler.

This feature can be easily enabled from the top-right corner in Opera browser window.

There’s also some other features added in Opera 38:

add your own lists in add blocker
add your own photo as theme
extension button visible in the Speed Dial side panel
Speed Dial improvements.

To get the latest Opera for Linux, go to:

Download Opera for Linux

In Howtos Opera

How to Install The Latest HexChat IRC Client in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: June 7, 2016

This tutorial is going to show you how to install the latest HexChat GTK+ IRC client and receive future software updates along with other system updates.

HexChat is a XChat based IRC client that’s completely free for Windows and Unix-like systems. It features Python and Perl scripting support, a plugin API, multiple server/channel windows, spell checking, multiple authentication methods including SASL, and customizable notifications.

HexChat is available in official Ubuntu repositories, but Canonical does not provide future updates for this software. While Ubuntu 16.04 provides the old 2.10.2 release, the HexChat website refers to Gwendal LE BIHAN’s PPA (unofficial) for the latest release.

1. Add PPA.

Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run the command below:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gwendal-lebihan-dev/hexchat-stable

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

2. Update system package index by either launching Software Updater and wait checking for updates, or running command:

sudo apt update

3. If you don’t a previous release installed, you can now install HexChat from Ubuntu Software, or via command:

sudo apt install hexchat

or upgrade the client via Software Updater:

4. (Optional) To remove the PPA, launch System Settings and navigate to Software & Updates -> Other Software.

In Howtos HexChat, IRC client, xchat

[Quick Tip] View Recent Notifications in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: June 5, 2016

This is quick tutorial for those who want to view the desktop notifications history in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

It can be done by either enabling logging notifications for Notify-OSD, or using Recent Notifications, a simple system panel applet.

View recent notifications via an indicator applet:

There’s a GNOME applet that displays a list of recent notifications on system panel.

To install the applet, go to:

Download indicator-notifications GTK 3

Select install the latest version of:

indicator-notifications_x.x.x~xenial_amd64.deb for 64-bit Ubuntu 16.04
indicator-notifications_x.x.x~xenial_i386.deb for 32-bit Ubuntu 16.04

There’s also a GTK2 version available for download at this page.

Once installed, log out and log in back to see the applet on panel.

Tips:

1. The applet displays up to 5 messages, to change the number of visible items, edit the config file: ‘usr/share/glib-2.0/schemas/net.launchpad.indicator.notifications.gschema.xml’

2. To remove the applet, use Synaptic Package Manager or run command sudo apt remove indicator-notifications in terminal

Enable Logging notifications:

Another way is to log notifications history into a file. Here’s how to do it for single user in Ubuntu 16.04:

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T), run command to open (or create if not exist) a user-local script:

gedit ~/.pam_environment

When the file opens, paste the line below and save it.

LOG DEFAULT=1

2. After restart your computer, a new file “notify-osd.log” will be created in user’s Home -> .cache folder that logs notifications history.

In Howtos notification history, recent notifications

Install WhatsApp Desktop App ‘Whatsie’ in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: July 14, 2017

Whatsie is a simple & beautiful desktop client (unofficial) for WhatsApp Web. It’s and open-source, cross-platform software works on OS X, Windows, and Linux.

Besides all the WhatsApp Web features, it also features:

Themes & Mini Mode
Native Notifications (with reply on OS X)
Spell Checker & Auto Correct (English)
Keyboard Shortcuts

How to Install Whatsie in Ubuntu:

The project has gone. The tutorial won’t work any more

Pre-compiled binary packages are available for download in its release page (see the link below), select download:

whatsie-x.x.x-linux-amd64.deb for 64-bit Ubuntu
whatsie-x.x.x-linux-i386.deb for 32-bit Ubuntu

from:

Download the latest Whatsie (.deb)

Then click install via Ubuntu Software, or run command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/whatsie*.deb; sudo apt -f install

Once the software is successfully installed, launch it from Unity Dash (App Launcher), scan the QR code via WhatsApp in your mobile phone, and enjoy chatting with your friends.

If you like Whatsie and want to receive future updates along with other system updates via Software Updater, add the Linux repository by running the commands below one by one in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

gpg --keyserver pool.sks-keyservers.net --recv-keys 1537994D

gpg --export --armor 1537994D | sudo apt-key add -

echo "deb https://dl.bintray.com/aluxian/deb stable main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list

(Optional) To remove the software, use Synaptic Package Manager (available in Ubuntu Software), or run apt command in terminal via remove flag:

sudo apt remove whatsie

And the Linux repository can be removed via System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software -> highlight and remove the repository line.

In Howtos Ubuntu 16.04, WhatsApp client

How to Install Polly Twitter Client in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: April 4, 2019

For those who prefer Polly to other desktop twitter clients (e.g., Corebird), here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04 and derivatives.

Polly is a Twitter client designed for managing multiple columns of multiple accounts, purposefully keeping them separated instead of merged.

Polly‘s not been updated for a few years, though the developer said he’s not gave up on developing. The latest 0.93.12 release is working good and available in GetDeb repository for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

Install Polly in Ubuntu 16.04:

1. Add GetDeb repository by installing the .deb package from the link below:

Download GetDeb Package

You can then manage the PPA via System Settings -> Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

2. After adding the repository, install the twitter app via Synaptic Package Manager.

Or open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run the commands below one by one:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install polly

For those who don’t want to add the repository, grab the .deb installer for Polly directly from the link below:

~~Download Polly DEB Package~~

Then install the package by running command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/polly_*.deb; sudo apt -f install

In Howtos polly, twitter client

Install The Latest Shotwell Photo Manager 0.23.1 in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: May 27, 2016

Shotwell photo manager has recently reached the 0.23.1 release. While Ubuntu 16.04 contains the old 0.22 release, you can now install the latest release and receive future updates through the maintainer, Jens Georg’s PPA.

Notable changes in Shotwell 0.23.1:

Update Facebook application id so Facebook integration works again
Rename “Yorba website” to “Shotwell website” in About dialog
Copyright transferred from Yorba to Software Freedom Conservancy (SFC)
New and updated icons
Various bug fixes and translation updates.

How to Install / Upgrade Shotwell in Ubuntu 16.04:

1. Add the maintainer’s PPA.

Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T), paste the command below and hit run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yg-jensge/shotwell

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

2. Launch Software Updater and upgrade Shotwell.

Launch Software Updater, after checking for updates, you’ll see the new release of “Digital photo manager” available for upgrade under Other updates -> Ubuntu Base.

3. (Optional) To revert back to the stock version of Shotwell in Ubuntu 16.04, run command in terminal to install ppa-purge and purge the PPA which also downgrade the photo manager:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:yg-jensge/shotwell

That’s it. Enjoy!

In Howtos shotwell, Ubuntu 16.04

How to Fix Time Differences in Ubuntu 16.04 & Windows 10 Dual Boot

Last updated: May 26, 2016

For users who dual boot Ubuntu 16.04 and Windows, you may find the clock time is off that causes time differences after you reboot and switch between the two systems. Here’s how to fix it.

Ubuntu maintains the hardware clock (RTC, real time clock) in universal time (UTC) by default while Windows maintains the clock in local time, thus causing time conflicts between Ubuntu and Windows.

To fix it, either set Ubuntu to maintain RTC in local time or make Windows uses UTC.

1. Disable UTC and use Local Time in Ubuntu:

In previous Ubuntu editions, you can edit the config file /etc/default/rcS to disable UTC.

In Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run the command below instead:

timedatectl set-local-rtc 1 --adjust-system-clock

To check out if your system uses Local time, just run:

timedatectl

you’ll the local time zone is in use in the Warning section.

Finally restart and switch to Windows, adjust system clock time if need and done.

2. Make MicroSoft Windows uses UTC:

Another way to fix this issue is doing the following changes in Windows, Windows 10, in the case below:

1.) First if you’ve switched to local time in Ubuntu, run command in Ubuntu terminal to use back UTC:

timedatectl set-local-rtc 0

2.) Restart and select boot into Windows 10, when you’re in, do:

go to Start Menu, search for and launch cmd as Administrator.

When the command console opens, paste below command to create a DWORD value to the registry:

Reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation /v RealTimeIsUniversal /t REG_DWORD /d 1

For 64-bit Windows, use a QWORD value instead:

Reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\TimeZoneInformation /v RealTimeIsUniversal /t REG_QWORD /d 1

Disable the “internet update” for the time and reboot.

In Howtos dual, Ubuntu 16.04, UTC time

How to Install Light Table IDE in Ubuntu 16.04 via PPA

Last updated: May 23, 2016

This is a quick tutorial shows how to easily install the Light Table IDE in 64-bit Ubuntu via PPA, since there’s no official .deb binary for Ubuntu Linux.

Light Table is a cross-platform and open-source IDE that features real-time feedback allowing instant execution, debugging and access to documentation.

To make it easy to install Light Table IDE in Ubuntu, there’s now a PPA that contains an installer script, which automatically downloads the official Linux package from its website, installs and creates a launcher shortcut in your system for better Ubuntu integration.

1. First download the script from the link below:

Light Table Installer (.deb)

Select download the package “lighttable-installer_xxx_amd64.deb”, the click install via Ubuntu Software.

Or open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command install the downloaded package. The script starts automatically after installation:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/lighttable-installer_*.deb

If everything goes OK, you’ll be finally able to launch the IDE from Unity Dash, or other Application Launcher.

2. (Optional) To receive future updates of Light Table along with other system udpates, you may add the PPA repository so to get updates via Software Updater once a new release is made into PPA.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dr-akulavich/lighttable

You can then disable, remove, or edit the PPA via System Settings -> System -> Software & Updates -> Other Software.

In Howtos Light Table

How to Manually Install Fonts in Ubuntu 16.04 (24.04 Updated)

Last updated: May 14, 2024

Want to install Microsoft fonts, Google web fonts for off-line use, or you just found a favorite font on the web and want to install it in Ubuntu?

Well here’s how to install the font files (.ttf, .ttc) downloaded from web, Google fonts page, or copied from your Windows OS.

Here are 4 font files shown in the picture above. In the steps below I’ll show you how to install and use it in Ubuntu Desktop.

Option 1: Install Fonts for current user only

If you want to install the fonts for current user use only, then simply open up a “Files” (file manager) window, press Ctrl+H to show hidden folder, and navigate to .local/share/fonts (create fonts sub-folder if not exist).

Next, drag’n’drop your font files into that directory, or a sub-folder of that directory.

Finally, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, and run command to refresh the cache:

sudo fc-cache -fv

Next, your system configuration tool can find and allow you to apply the fonts

Option 2: Manually install Fonts to system wide use

To install fonts for all users use, do the following steps one by one instead.

1. Launch Terminal from start menu, or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard:

When it opens, paste following commands and run one by one.

2. In Ubuntu Linux, font files are installed to /usr/local/share/fonts or /usr/share/fonts. The former directory is recommended in this case for manual installation.

First create a sub folder in the font directory, ms_fonts, as example:

sudo mkdir /usr/local/share/fonts/ms_fonts

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

3. Move all font files from your Downloads directory to the new created folder:

sudo mv ~/Downloads/*.ttc ~/Downloads/*.ttf /usr/local/share/fonts/ms_fonts/

4. Set permissions to these files by running the commands below one by one:

sudo chown root:staff /usr/local/share/fonts/ms_fonts -R

sudo chmod 644 /usr/local/share/fonts/ms_fonts/* -R

sudo chmod 755 /usr/local/share/fonts/ms_fonts

5. Finally builds font information caches for apps using fontconfig for their font handling:

sudo fc-cache -fv

Now you can apply new installed fonts via GNOME Tweaks (available in Ubuntu Software / App Center) in default GNOME desktop:

For Chrome browser, go to Settings -> Advanced settings-> Web contents -> Customize fonts.

In Howtos font, Ubuntu 16.04

How to Install Linux Kernel 4.6 in Ubuntu 16.04

Last updated: May 16, 2016

The Linux Kernel 4.6 stable has been released. Linus Torvalds announced this kernel release in lkml.org:

It’s just as well I didn’t cut the rc cycle short, since the last week ended up getting a few more fixes than expected, but nothing in there feels all that odd or out of line. So 4.6 is out there at the normal schedule, and that obviously also means that I’ll start doing merge window pull requests for 4.7 starting tomorrow.

Since rc7, there’s been small noise all over, with driver fixes being the bulk of it, but there is minor noise all over (perf tooling, networking, filesystems, documentation, some small arch fixes..)

New features in Kernel 4.6:

Initial open-source support for GTX 900 series
Runtime AHCI power management support for greater power savings
Dell laptop support improvements
Better security for 32-bit Linux programs.
Various open-source AMD graphics driver improvements.
A number of new ARM hardware support.

How to Install Kernel 4.6 in Ubuntu:

There are .deb packages for this kernel release available in kernel-ppa/mainline:

Download Kernel 4.6 (.deb)

Download and install the packages named below one by one according to your OS type (i386 for 32-bit, amd64 for 64-bit):

linux-headers-4.6.0-xxx_all.deb
linux-headers-4.6.0-xxx-generic_xxx_i386/amd64.deb
linux-image-4.6.0-xxx-generic_xxx_i386/amd64.deb

For a low latency system (e.g. for recording audio) install following packages instead:

linux-headers-4.6.0-xxx_all.deb
linux-headers-4.6.0-xxx-lowlatency_xxx_i386/amd64.deb
linux-image-4.6.0-xxx-lowlatency_xxx_i386/amd64.deb

You can also download and install these debs by running the commands below in terminal/console:

For 64-bit system:

cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.6-yakkety/linux-headers-4.6.0-040600_4.6.0-040600.201605151930_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.6-yakkety/linux-headers-4.6.0-040600-generic_4.6.0-040600.201605151930_amd64.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.6-yakkety/linux-image-4.6.0-040600-generic_4.6.0-040600.201605151930_amd64.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

For 32-bit system

cd /tmp/

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.6-yakkety/linux-headers-4.6.0-040600_4.6.0-040600.201605151930_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.6-yakkety/linux-headers-4.6.0-040600-generic_4.6.0-040600.201605151930_i386.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.6-yakkety/linux-image-4.6.0-040600-generic_4.6.0-040600.201605151930_i386.deb

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Restart your computer after installation to apply changes.

Restore:

You can easily switch back to the previous kernel by restart your machine and select boot with old kernel version (available in Advanced options). Then use Ubuntu-Tweak or follow this guide to remove Kernel 4.6.

In Howtos Linux Kernel