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How to Upgrade to VLC 2.2.0 (Stable) in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: July 16, 2016

VLC 2.2.0

VLC 2.2.0, codename WeatherWax, finally goes stable. Here’s how to upgrade it in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS or Linux Mint 17.1 while it’s already made into Ubuntu repositories for 14.10 Utopic and 15.04 Vivid.

VLC 2.2.0 was released a few hours ago with numerous new features, fix more than one thousand bugs and improves the scope of the formats supported. Here are some of the new features:

  • Auto-rotation of phone movies, to fight Vertical Video Syndrome
  • Resume playback where you left off in all versions
  • Extensions API and repository to download extensions directly from the application
  • GPU 0-copy support for decoding and displaying using hardware
  • Subtitles download from the web, using OpenSubtitles
  • Audio core upgrade, notably to support short samples
  • Improved support for UltraHD codecs, H.265 and VP9
  • Support for BD-Java menus and overlay in Blu-Ray
  • Acceleration of VP9 and H.265/HEVC decoders
  • Support for encoding in H.265, Opus and VP9
  • Rewritten support for WMV, Ogg, MP4 and AVI, notably for seeking
  • Support for WebVTT, Ogg/VP8, Opus/MKV
  • Support for Digital Cinema Packages and encrypted DCP with KDM
  • Support for THP, Renderware videogames files
  • GPU accelerated auto-rotation, in OpenGL, Direct3D and Mediacodec
  • GPU 0-copy decoding-rendering for Linux using VDPAU
  • Support for HLSL shaders in Direct3D video output
  • OpenMAX IL improvements for Android, Linux and rPi
  • Support GStreamer codecs
  • Support for MMS split streams for audio selection (European Parliament)
  • Support FTPS (FTP/TLS) protocol
  • New decoder for VP8 and VP9 using libvpx for Linux distributions without avcodec
  • Improvements on Teletext, Subrip, and Tx3g subtitles
  • Support for MSN audio, Atrac3+, VP7, Bink, TAK, On2 AVC, DK3, DK4
  • Support for IMC, Vivo g723.1, Smacker, FIC, Auravision, Canopus Lossless
  • Support x264 and FFv1 codecs RGB modes
  • Support drag’n drop in the skins2 interface
  • Support of audio ducking in various audio outputs
  • Full list of features HERE

Install / Upgrade to VLC 2.2.0 in Ubuntu 14.04:

The 2.2.0 release is available in the Software Center for Ubuntu 14.10 and Ubuntu 15.04 out-of-the-box. Thanks to Doug McMahon, VLC 2.2.0 for 14.04 Trusty is available in this PPA.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal from menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonathonf/vlc

Please read the PPA description before press Enter to continue adding the PPA.

2. After adding the PPA, run below commands one by one to upgrade to the 2.2.0 release from previous version:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install vlc vlc-plugin-*

Uninstall/Downgrade VLC:

To downgrade to previous release, install ppa-purge and purge the PPA which also downgrade packages installed from it:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge

sudo ppa-purge ppa:jonathonf/vlc

To remove VLC, just run:

sudo apt-get remove vlc vlc-plugin-*
In Howtos
 

Nvidia 346.47 Released With New GPUs Support and Fixes

Last updated: February 25, 2015

Nvidia has recently released a new driver version 346.47 for Linux with new GPUs support and a few bug fixes.

According to the release highlight, Quadro K620M, Quadro K2200M, and GeForce GTX 965M GPUs are added supported in this driver release.

And below bugs are fixed:

  • Fixed a bug that could cause rendering corruption in GLX clients using PBOs and/or VBOs when using GLX indirect rendering.
  • Fixed a bug that caused Xinerama layouts which included X screens with ‘Option “UseDisplayDevice” “none”‘ to be represented incorrectly in the nvidia-settings control panel.
  • Fixed a bug that could cause glXSwapBuffer() to block for longer than necessary in multi-threaded GLX applications using the GLX_NV_delay_before_swap extension.
  • Fixed a bug that caused OpenGL applications using the NV_path_rendering extension to crash after a modeswitch event.
  • Fixed a bug that caused DisplayPort audio to stop working after monitors are hotplugged.

If you want to install or upgrade this Nvidia driver, download it from THIS PAGE and follow this guide to install it on your Ubuntu.

Or wait it to be built into Xorg Edge PPA.

In Howtos
 

How to Install Ubuntu Touch’s Music App 2.0 in Ubuntu 15.04/14.10

Last updated: February 25, 2015

For those who are running Ubuntu 14.10 or Ubuntu 15.04, here’s how to easily install a desktop preview of the Music App 2.0 which will be installed on Ubuntu Touch devices.

I’ve tried this Music App a few days ago in Ubuntu 14.10, but got ‘std::runtime_error’ similar error although the bug has been marked as fixed.

Now the player works in my laptop. Don’t know why, all I did is remove the .cache/mediascanner-2.0 folder under my Home folder and restart computer when I was first time trying the app. Here are the screenshots:

Install Music App via PPA in Ubuntu 15.04/Ubuntu 14.10:

1. Open terminal from the Dash or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:vthompson/ppa

2. After that, update package cache and install the Music App by running below two commands one by one:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install music-app music-app-autopilot

For those who don’t want to add PPA, grab the .deb packages directly from launchpad page.

In Howtos ,
 

Firefox 36 Stable Released [How-to-Upgrade in Ubuntu]

Last updated: February 25, 2015

Mozilla finally announced the stable release of Firefox 36, the new release features HTTP/2 protocol support and various bug-fixes.

The full HTTP/2 protocol support in Fixfox 36 enables a faster, more scalable, and more responsive web. Firefox 36 also adds beta support for native HTML5 YouTube playback, but it’s not enabled by default. To enable this feature, go to about:config page, search for and set value of “media.mediasource.enabled” to true

Below is the full list of changes in Firefox 36 (via: Firefox 36 official release note)

  • Pinned tiles on the new tab page can be synced
  • Support for the full HTTP/2 protocol. HTTP/2 enables a faster, more scalable, and more responsive web.
  • Locale added: Uzbek (uz)
  • -remote option removed
  • No longer accept insecure RC4 ciphers whenever possible
  • Phasing out Certificates with 1024-bit RSA Keys
  • Shut down hangs will now show the crash reporter before exiting the program
  • Add-on Compatibility
  • Support for the ECMAScript 6 Symbol data type added
  • unicode-range CSS descriptor implemented
  • CSSOM-View scroll behavior implemented allowing smooth scrolling of content without custom libraries
  • object-fit and object-position implemented.
    Defines how and where the content of a replaced element is displayed
  • isolation CSS property implemented.
    Create a new stacking context to isolate groups of boxes to control which blend together
  • CSS3 will-change property implemented.
    Hints the browser of elements that will be modified. The browser will perform some performance optimization for these
  • Changed JavaScript ‘const’ semantics to conform better to the ES6 specification.
    The const declaration is now block-scoped and requires an initializer. It also can not be redeclared anymore.
  • Improved ES6 generators for better performance
  • Eval sources now appear in the Debugger. Debug JavaScript code that is evaluated dynamically, either as a string passed to eval() or as a string passed to the Function constructor
  • DOM Promises inspection
  • Inspector: More paste options in markup view
  • CSS gradients work on premultiplied colors
  • Fix some unexpected logout from Facebook or Google after restart
  • Various security fixes

How to Upgrade Firefox in Ubuntu:

Firefox 36 will be made into Ubuntu repositories very soon, by then you can upgrade Firefox through Software Updater in Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 12.04 or Linux Mint 17.1/13.

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Install Latest ‘Diodon’ Clipboard Manager in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: February 23, 2015

Diodon is a lightweight clipboard manager software which is well integrated with Ubuntu Unity and Gnome Desktop.

It features include a panel indicator, Unity Scope allows searching history, clipboard sync and a zeitgeist integration for an infinite clipboard history.

Diodon also supports images and plugins and it does just what a clipboard manager should do. If you would like more features (e.g. edit history), try CopyQ.

Diodon Indicator and Preferences

Press Super Key + b to search clipboard

Install Latest Diodon in Ubuntu:

Diodon is available in Ubuntu Software Center since 13.10 Saucy, but Canonical does not provide future updates for this app.

The developer provides a stable PPA that contains the latest builds for this software and allows to receive future updates through Software Updater. So far, Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and Ubuntu 14.10 are supported.

To add the PPA, open terminal from the Dash or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run:

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

After that, you can upgrade Diodon through Software Updater. Or install the app for the first time by running below 2 commands one by one:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install diodon unity-scope-diodon

Diodon clipboard manager starts working at next log-in.

In Howtos ,
 

How to Enable Global Menu in XFCE Desktop

Last updated: July 14, 2017

To save screen space, Ubuntu Unity uses Mac OS X style global menu that integrates applications’ menu bar into the top panel.

Thanks to TopMenu developer and Webupd8 Team for building the project into PPA, now XFCE Desktop has a plugin to enable the Mac style global menu bar.

How to install TopMenu plugin for XFCE:

For (X)Ubuntu 14.04, (X)Ubuntu 14.10, (X)Ubuntu 15.04, and Linux Mint 17/17.1, this Xfce plugin is available in the webupd8 PPA.

1. Open terminal from the application menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:webupd8team/mate

2. Update system package cache, install “xfce4-topmenu-plugin” as well as other extra plugins.

sudo apt-get update
 
sudo apt-get install xfce4-topmenu-plugin libtopmenu-gtk3 libtopmenu-qt topmenu-mozilla-extension

3. After installing this plugin, you have to restart Xfce session by logging out and back in to load the Topmenu modules.

4. Finally, right-click on panel and navigate to Panel -> Panel Preferences. Under items tab, add “TopMenu” and change its position.

For issues, please reports to gitorious.org/projects/topmenu/issues

In Howtos ,
 

Upgrade to Whisker Menu 1.5 in (X)ubuntu or Linux Mint Xfce

Last updated: February 20, 2015

Whisker Menu, the default application menu for Linux Mint Xfce edition, has reached the 1.5 release with some new features and bug fixes.

According to the release note, Whisker Menu 1.5 adds an option to set background opacity and allows searching Xfce settings manager items.

There are also a few bug fixes, UI improvements and translations updates. See the full changes:

  • Fix search activation to allow input methods (bug #11271)
  • Fix broken menu when closed by window manager (bug #11287)
  • Fix unnecessary assignment to NULL
  • Fix possible null pointer dereference
  • Add option to set background opacity
  • Add command to edit profile
  • Add profile picture
  • Add customizable limit for recently used
  • Add support for non-square panel button icon
  • Add items of Xfce settings manager to allow searching
  • Expand subcategories when activated
  • Load default settings from XDG location
  • Make launchers executable when they are added to desktop
  • Rearrange options in configuration dialog
  • Refactor list page code
  • Rename option for including favorites in recently used
  • Rename option to use single panel row
  • Rename button to match default menu applet
  • Use a single instance of the garcon menu
  • Translation updates: Bulgarian, Catalan, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Taiwan)

How to Install/Upgrade Whisker Menu:

For Linux Mint 17.1 (or 17), (X)Ubuntu 12.04, (X)Ubuntu 14.04, and later, this software and future updates are available in the developer’s PPA.

To add the PPA, open terminal and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gottcode/gcppa

Then update your system package cache and install/upgrade the app via below 2 commands:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install xfce4-whiskermenu-plugin

If you’re first time using this app launcher, you have to manually add it to panel from panel preferences -> panel items.

In Howtos ,
 

Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS Available for Download / Upgrade

Last updated: February 20, 2015

The second point release of Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr LTS (Long-Term Support) is out today with security fixes, newer kernel (3.16) and X support.

Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS includes Linux Kernel 3.16 and an updated version of the Xorg display server from the Utopic 14.10 release. These newer enablement stacks are meant for desktop and server use only, and not recommended for cloud or virtual images.

Linux Kernel 3.16 was released in August 2014. It features 64-bit ARM EFI stub support, new Synaptics input driver, initial GK20A support, and more. See this article for details.

Download:

To download the .iso files of Ubuntu 14.04.2 and its flavors, go to:

releases.ubuntu.com

Upgrade:

For Ubuntu 14.04 and/or 14.04.1 users, just install all the system updates via Software Updater or run below commands one by one in a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

For the Kernel 3.16 and updated X stack, you have to install below packages manually by running command:

For Ubuntu Desktop:

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-utopic xserver-xorg-lts-utopic libgl1-mesa-glx-lts-utopic libegl1-mesa-drivers-lts-utopic

For Ubuntu Server:

sudo apt-get install --install-recommends linux-generic-lts-utopic

You may need to upgrade Grub boot-loader after installation via:

sudo update-grub

Finally check out your OS version via command cat /etc/issue, Kernel version (need restart) via uname -sr:

via: Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS release note.

In News
 

Paper: Google’s Material Design Inspired GTK3 and Icon Theme

Last updated: February 26, 2015

Paper project is a GTK3 and icon theme suite inspired by Google’s material design guidelines. They are developed by Sam Hewitt, the man behind the Moka icons project.

Paper started as a single GTK3 theme. It’s developed primarily for GNOME 3 and other GTK3 desktops. Its design is mostly flat with a minimal use of shadows for depth and looks really beautiful in desktops that make use of the GTK3 headerbars/client-side decorations (e.g. Gnome Shell).

Paper icon theme is under serious development. The GNOME icon theme is the fallback set for missing icons.

How to Install Paper GTK3 & Icon themes:

The developer has created a daily build PPA, available for Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 15.04 and derivatives.

To add the PPA, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:snwh/pulp

Then update and install the themes:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install paper-gtk-theme paper-icon-theme

Since the icons & theme are under-development, you will receive updates (changes or fixes) from PPA via Software Updater.

If you don’t want to add PPA, grab the .deb packages from ppa page and install them via Software Center.

Once installed, apply the themes via Gnome Tweak Tool or Unity Tweak Tool (both are available in Software Center).

NOTE: Since the paper icon theme is under early stage, please report issues here.

In App Review ,
 

How to Install Bomi (CMPlayer) Multimedia Player in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: February 18, 2015

Bomi, formerly known as CMPlayer, is a graphical user interface (GUI) player based on mpv for Linux. It aims to be easy to use and also provides various powerful features and convenience functions.

By taking the advantage of mpv and GUI, bomi provides various features:

  • User-friendly interface: all features are available in context menu
  • Unlimited playback history
  • Automatic playlist generation and restoration
  • render styled subtitles such as SAMI and ASS format, bomi can render multiple subtitle files at the same time.
  • bomi supports hardware-accelerated decoding by GPU. bomi will utilize available native API for the system between VA-API and VDPAU.
  • dvd playback, image slide show, and other more basical player features.

Install Bomi player from PPA:

1. If you have CMPlayer installed on your system, you have to remove it first since it conflicts with bomi.

To do so, open terminal from the Dash or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run below command:

sudo apt-get remove cmplayer

2. Bomi has an official PPA that contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 14.10 and Linux Mint 17.1.

To add the PPA, run below command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:darklin20/bomi

3. Finally search for and install bomi via Synaptic Package Manager, or by running below commands one by one:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install bomi

For those who don’t want to add PPA, grab the .deb installer directly from the PPA packages page.

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