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Use WildGuppy in Ubuntu To Adjust Screen Brightness Automatically

Last updated: June 19, 2014

Change Ubuntu Laptop brightness automatically

WildGuppy is a simple application that automatically adjusts Ubuntu laptop’s screen brightness depending on one’s sitting environment.

The app changes your laptop’s screen brightness by using camera samples taken at a user definable interval. Besides that, you can always set the brightness manually from Brightness Levels menu. When you choose this option, webcam sampling process will stop!

About the Feeling lucky option, it takes a sample from your webcam at that time you click on it and set the right brightness level and will not take any further samples.

Install WildGuppy in Ubuntu:

It’s recommended to install the app from developer’s PPA. After that, you can receive updates by Ubuntu’s Software Updater.

To add the PPA, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the command below:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:fantasyleague0629/wildguppy

Then install WildGuppy via:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install wildguppy

Works on Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 13.04, Ubuntu 12.10 and Ubuntu 12.04.

Make WildGuppy running at startup:

Run command to edit the config file. 

sudo gedit ~/.config/autostart/wildguppy-gtk.desktop

Type in your password when prompted. Note that terminal will not display your password when typing, just type in mind and hit enter.

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

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Exec=wildguppy-gtk
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Name[en_US]=WildGuppy
Name=WildGuppy
Comment[en_US]=
Comment=

via: github.com

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Skype 4.3 Released, How to Install it in Ubuntu 14.04/12.04

Last updated: September 24, 2014

Skype for Linux has been updated to version 4.3.0.37 with updated UI, new cloud-based Group chat experience, and more.

Microsoft finally announced Skype for Linux 4.3 on June 18, 2014. The new release dropped support for direct Alsa support, now it uses PulseAudio for better calling experience. Also Skype 4.3 contains below changes:

  • An updated UI
  • Our new cloud-based Group Chat experience
  • More reliable file transfer support when using multiple devices at once
  • Greater accessibility by blind and visually impaired users
  • PulseAudio 3.0 and 4.0 support
  • Lot of bug fixes
  • Skype 4.3 release note.

Install Skype 4.3 in Ubuntu or Linux Mint:

At the moment, Skype for Linux 4.3 is not available in any Linux repository. Below steps will tell you how to install the official .deb package in Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 12.04, and their derivatives.

1. Install required libraries (for 64-bit system)

Skype website only provides 32-bit package for Ubuntu 12.04 and higher. You’re unable to install it directly on 64-bit system due to dependencies issue.

However, install the old skype from Canonical partners repository will also install the required libraries we need for NEW skype.

a.) Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run commands one by one to remove old skype and .skype folder:

sudo apt-get remove skype skype-bin

rm -rf ~/.skype

b.) Open “Software & Updates” and enable Canonical partners repository under Other Software tab.

c.) Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run the commands below to install old skype:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install skype

UPDATE: Below steps are no longer required! Just do the above step a.), b.) and c.) will install Skype 4.3 in your system.

c.) Once installed, remove the old skype package:

sudo apt-get remove skype skype-bin

2. Download & install Skype 4.3

Download the “Ubuntu 12.04 (multiarch)” package from: www.skype.com/go/linux

Click to install the package via Ubuntu Software Center. Or run command below in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

cd ~/Downloads/ && sudo dpkg -i skype-ubuntu-precise_*.deb

Once installed, you’re able to open Skype 4.3 from Unity Dash result:

In Howtos, Linux Mint ,
 

Flickr App ‘Frogr’ Updated to 0.10, Install it in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: June 18, 2014

Frogr, a Gnome desktop app for Flickr image/video hosting service, is updated to version 0.10 with bug fixes and new and updated translations.

Frogr is a small application for the GNOME desktop that allows users to manage their accounts in the Flickr image hosting website. It supports all the basic Flickr features, including uploading pictures, adding descriptions, setting tags and managing sets and groups pools.

The latest stable version of Frogr 0.10 (released on June 17, 2014) currently features a basic -yet effective- flickr uploader:

  • Allow to upload pictures and videos to flickr, specifying details such as title, description, tags, visibility, content type, safety level and whether to “show up on global search results”.
  • Allow uploading pictures and videos from remote machines, through different protocols (SMB, SSH, FTP…).
  • Allow loading/saving the work session from/to ‘project’ files.
  • Allow setting specific licenses and geolocation information for pictures right from the desktop.
  • Allow specifying sets and group pools for the elements to be added to after the upload process.
  • Allow to create sets right from frogr, opposite to just adding elements to already existing ones.
  • Command line interface and integration as MIME type handler for pictures.
  • Import tags from picture’s metainformation (if present) when loading.
  • Support for handling multiple Flickr accounts.
  • Support for specifying HTTP proxies manually.
  • Integrated with GNOME Shell and the Mac OS X desktops.
  • Translated to many languages (Check frogr’s module at l10n)

For the detailed changes in Frogr 0.10, check the news file.

Install Frogr 0.10 in Ubuntu:

The new release has been made into Ubuntu 14.10’s universe repository. For Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 12.04 and their derivatives, install Frogr 0.10 from PPA:

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run the commands below one by one:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mariospr/frogr

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install frogr
In Howtos ,
 

How to Install The Latest Eclipse Release in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: January 13, 2016

This quick tutorial is going to show you how to install the latest release of Eclipse, while the Ubuntu repositories has an very old version.

So far, the latest is Eclipse Kepler (4.3.2). You can follow below steps to install it on Ubuntu 14.04 or other Ubuntu releases.


1. Install Java.

If you don’t have Java installed on your system. Click the link below to bring up Ubuntu Software Center and click install OpenJDK Java 7:

Or, install Oracle Java from this link.

2. Download Eclipse from its website

You may check out your OS Type 32-bit or 64-bit by going to System Settings -> Details -> Overview

3. Extract Eclipse to /opt/ for global use

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the command below to extract Eclipse to /opt/:

cd /opt/ && sudo tar -zxvf ~/Downloads/eclipse-*.tar.gz

You may replace “eclipse-*.tar.gz” (without quote) to the exact package name if the command does not work.

Don’t like Linux commands? You can do this by opening Nautilus file browser via root: Press Alt+F2 -> run gksudo nautilus.

Once done, you should see the eclipse folder under /opt/ directory.

4. Create a launcher shortcut for Eclipse

Press Ctrl+Alt+T, paste below command into the terminal and hit enter (install gksu from Software Center if below command does not work).

gksudo gedit /usr/share/applications/eclipse.desktop

Above command will create and open the launcher file for eclipse with gedit text editor.

Paste below content into the opened file and save it.

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Eclipse 4
Type=Application
Exec=/opt/eclipse/eclipse
Terminal=false
Icon=/opt/eclipse/icon.xpm
Comment=Integrated Development Environment
NoDisplay=false
Categories=Development;IDE;
Name[en]=Eclipse

Finally open Eclipse from Unity Dash search results and enjoy!

Not clear enough? See the youtube video:

In Howtos ,
 

Writing App FocusWriter Adds Support Open XML Files, Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: June 17, 2014

Full-screen writing program FocusWriter updated to version 1.5.0 with many exciting new features and improvements.

FocusWriter is a simple, distraction-free writing environment. It utilizes a hide-away interface that you access by moving your mouse to the edges of the screen, allowing the program to have a familiar look and feel to it while still getting out of the way so that you can immerse yourself in your work.

FocusWriter features:

  • TXT, basic RTF, and basic ODT file support
  • Timers and alarms
  • Daily goals
  • Fully customizable themes
  • Typewriter sound effects (optional)
  • Auto-save (optional)
  • Live statistics (optional)
  • Spell-checking (optional)
  • Multi-document support
  • Sessions
  • Portable mode (optional)
  • Translated into over 20 languages

The latest release 1.5.0 was released one hour ago on June 17th, 2014 with following new features and improvements.

  • Added daily progress dialog
  • Added default themes
  • Added blurring behind text area
  • Added drop shadow behind text area
  • Added duplicating themes
  • Added keyboard shortcuts to move between paragraphs
  • Added option to disable byte order mark
  • Added basic support for Office Open XML files
  • Added Windows installer
  • Include dictionaries on Windows
  • Improved theme dialog
  • Improved background color when loading theme
  • Stopped clearing document cache across runs
  • Synchronized location for open and save dialogs
  • Switched to hunspell
  • Switched to QtZip
  • Refactored daily progress
  • Refactored document cache
  • Refactored spell checking code

Install FocusWriter 1.5.0 in Ubuntu:

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the commands below one by one will install the writing app from its official PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gottcode/gcppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install focuswriter

Works on Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 12.04 and their derivatives.

For Othe Linux, Window, and Mac OS, go to FocusWriter website.

In Howtos ,
 

Wallch Wallpaper Changer Fixed Frequent Crashes in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: June 17, 2014

Wallch 4.12 was finally released with various bug fixes, including the crash when clicking the start button under ‘Wallpaper’. Now it is works like a charm in Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty!

Wallch is a free and open source wallpaper changer for Linux desktops. Besides changing your desktop background automatically, it features:

  • a live picture of earth updated every 1/2 hour
  • Picture of The Day (wikipedia).
  • Wallpaper Clocks – combine beautiful wallpapers with the time and date.
  • an Unity indicator to control the app from menu

Wallch automatically change desktop background with selected Picture folder

Control wallch via an Unity indicator

The latest release fixed below bugs:

  • Fixed bug of application crashing on ‘Wallpapers’ when button start was pressed
  • Fixed bug of window not being able to resize
  • Fixed bug on wallpaper clocks were the background was always one minute behind system’s time
  • Fixed bug were shortcuts like Ctrl+Q or Ctrl+P wouldn’t work
  • More fixes see the launchpad page.

Install Wallch 4.12 in Ubuntu 14.04:

First you may check out your OS type: 32-bit = i386, 64-bit = amd64 by going to System Settings -> Details -> OS type.

Then download the .deb package and click install via Ubuntu Software Center.

Once installed, open it from Unity Dash result and enjoy!

In Howtos ,
 

Try Otter Browser – Opera 12.x Alternative in Ubuntu

Last updated: June 16, 2014

Otter web browser is a free and open-source project started half a year ago. It aims to recreate classic Opera (12.x) UI using Qt5.

As you may know, the last release of Opera for Linux is one year ago on June 3, 2013, and there probably won’t be a new release because Opera has abandoned the Linux platform (See the Hacker News).

The Otter browser aims to provide users who like the classic Opera interface and functionality. The browser is based on the QtWebKit, but the author plans to add support for other browser engines.

The developer notes that Otter won’t be a full clone of Opera. It will lack some features, Unity or widget supports for instance, and improve others.

NOTE: Otter browser is in very early stage. It may or may not work, use it at your own risk.

Ubuntu users download the .deb package and click install via Software Center. You may check out OS type 32-bit (i386) or 64-bit (amd64) via System Settings -> Details.

Once installed, start browser via otter-browser command, you’ll be able to launch it from Unity Dash search results after reboot.

website: otter-browser.org

In Howtos ,
 

System Load Indicator 0.4 Brings Various Fixes, Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: June 15, 2014

System Load Indicator 0.4 was finally released on June 14, 2014 which brings various important fixes. It has been one year and four months since the 0.3 release.

System Load Indicator is an applet on your system tray area that displays graphs for CPU, RAM and swap space use, Disk read/write, plus network traffic.

The most recent 0.4 release brings following fixes:

  • Fixed crash: running indicator-multiload immediately segfaults.
  • Fixed the crash after setting graph smoothing in Advanced settings (bug in 0.4-beta)
  • Fixed crash at session opening (Gnome Shell).
  • “Open System Monitor” now opens Xfce4 Task Manager in Xfce Desktop.
  • Fixed menu monitor items do not display on Ubuntu 13.10 (bug in 0.4-beta)
  • Add GUI option to turn off autoranging on graphs
  • Provide monochrome colors option
  • Read the release page.

Install System Load Indicator 0.4 in Ubuntu:

The new release has been made into PPA, available for Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 12.04 and their derivatives.

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, run the commands below one by one will add the PPA and install the indicator:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:indicator-multiload/stable-daily

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install indicator-multiload

Once installed, open it from Unity dash results or menu.

In Howtos
 

Shutter 0.91 Released with Bug Fixes & Updated Icon

Last updated: June 15, 2014

Shutter, a Linux native screenshot tool with editing feature, was updated to version 0.91 with a few bug fixes and updated application icon.

Shutter is a free, open source, and feature-rich screenshot program for Linux. You can take a screenshot of a specific area, window, your whole screen, or even of a website – apply different effects to it, draw on it to highlight points, and then upload to an image hosting site, all within one window.

The latest Shutter 0.91 was released a few hours ago on June 14, 2014. It brings the updated application icon by Lucas Romero Di Benedetto.

Also this release fixed the bug that session tab does not show thumbnails in Ubuntu 14.04.

Finally, Shutter remove uploading to imm.io because the hosting service has been officially shutdown.

Install / Upgrade Shutter in Ubuntu:

Shutter 0.91 is available in its official PPA for Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 10.04 and their derivatives.

To add the PPA, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open the terminal. When it opens, paste the command below and hit enter to run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shutter/ppa

Then you can upgrade Shutter via Software Updater or Synaptic Package Manger after checking for updates. Or just run the command below to install it:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install shutter
In Howtos ,
 

Use Wallch Wallpaper Changer in Ubuntu 14.04

Last updated: June 17, 2014

Wallch is an automatic wallpaper changer for Ubuntu Linux. It features random image, Unity indicator, Live Earth wallpaper, wallpaper clocks, and Picture of The Day (wikipedia).

Wallch is a free and open source app that works on Gnome, Unity, LXDE, Xfce and Mate. This quick tutorial will show you how to install and get Wallch working in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.

See the pictures:

Wallch automatically change desktop background with selected Picture folder

Wallch displays a Live picture of earth updated every 1/2 hour

Wallch displays a wallpaper with real time clock

Control wallch via an Unity indicator

Install Wallch in Ubuntu 14.04:

Wallch is available in Ubuntu repositories, you can click the link below to bring up Ubuntu Software Center and click install it:

Download and click install the wallch_4.12-1trusty_*.deb from the link below. You may check your OS type 32-bit = i386 or 64-bit =amd64 by going to System Settings -> Details.

Once installed, open it from Unity Dash search results.

UPDATE: Below bugs are fixed by Wallch 4.12!

NOTE 1. Due to bug, Wallch does not work after you installed it. Go to menu or indicator Edit -> Preferences -> Integration. Change the theme from Autodetect to Ambiance, and choose your desktop environment will fix the issue.

NOTE 2: Wallch in Ubuntu 14.04 is a little buggy. When you click on Start changing wallpapers, it crashes sometimes. Just restart the app and do it again, it will be working good once it starts changing your desktop background.

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