UbuntuHandbook

Install Whisker Menu for XFCE in (X)Ubuntu 13.10/13.04/12.04

Last updated: November 12, 2014

Want the Linux Mint 15 Whisker Menu on your Xfce Desktop? Well, here’s how to do it via PPA in (X)Ubuntu 13.10, (X)Ubuntu 13.04, (X)Ubuntu 12.04 and (X)Ubuntu 12.10.

Whisker Menu is an alternate application launcher for Xfce, which is used as default in Linux Mint 15 Xfce. By default, it displays list of your favorite apps. You can browse through all of your installed applications by clicking on the category buttons on the side. Or you can quickly access your app by the search box.

Note that the developer has removed the package for Ubuntu 13.10 and Ubuntu 13.04. So far, only Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 14.10, and Ubuntu 12.04 are supported.

Install Whisker Menu via PPA:

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gottcode/gcppa

Update package lists:

sudo apt-get update

Install the app launcher:

sudo apt-get install xfce4-whiskermenu-plugin

Once installed, right-click on your panel and go to Panel -> Add New Items…. Find out Whisker Menu and click to add it to launcher.

By default, it’s in the right corner. Right-click on the icon and move it to the left. Modify the icon and title in its properties window. Also you can remove the previous ‘application menu’ from its right-click menu.

For Debian, Feroda, openSUSE, see the installation guide Whisker Menu homepage

In Xfce Whisker Menu, xfce4

Install / Upgrade FocusWriter 1.4.4 via PPA in Ubuntu 13.04/12.04

Last updated: October 4, 2013

FocusWriter is a fullscreen word processor. It has 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. It’s available for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, and has been translated into many different languages.

To install or upgrade to the latest FocusWriter in Ubuntu 13.04, Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 12.10 via PPA, press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gottcode/gcppa

Then update package lists:

sudo apt-get update

Finally install the word processor:

sudo apt-get install focuswriter

If you’re on Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy, open Ubuntu Software Center and search for and install focuswriter from the universe repository. Enjoy!

In Howtos focuswriter, focuswriter ppa

Install Kapow punch clock via PPA in Ubuntu 13.10/13.04/12.04/12.10

Last updated: October 4, 2013

As you may know, Kapow is a punch clock program designed to easily keep track of your hours, whether you’re working on one project or many. Simply clock in and out with the Start/Stop button. If you make a mistake in your hours, you can go back and edit any of the entries by double-clicking on the session in question.

Kapow also allows you to easily keep track of the hours since you last billed a client, by providing a helpful “Billed” checkbox–the totals will reflect your work after the last billed session.

Install Kapow punch clock via PPA:

The developer has created a PPA repository for Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy, Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, Ubuntu 12.04 Precise, Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal, and their derivatives such as Linux Mint, Elementary.

To get started installing the app, press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gottcode/gcppa

Then update packages lists:

sudo apt-get update

Finally install the punch clock software:

sudo apt-get install kapow

Enjoy!

In Howtos kapow, kapow ppa, kapow punch clock

How to install Qmmp 0.7.3 via PPA in Ubuntu 13.04/12.04/12.10

Last updated: October 3, 2013

The Winamp like music player Qmmp has released version 0.7.3 with bug fixes and improvements. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 13.04, Ubuntu 12.04, Ubuntu 12.10 and their derivatives such as Linux Mint and Elementary OS via PPA.

What’s new in Qmmp 0.7.3:

added window size and position saving to the projectm plugin
disabled unsupported settings in the statusicon plugin under Windows
fixed warnings about invalid parent thread
fixed race condition
fixed ReplayGain support in the flac plugin
fixed parsing of the track/disc number with separator
fixed tooltip in the status icon plugin under Windows
fixed ‘show tooltip’ option in the status icon plugin
removed unused variables

Install Qmmp via PPA:

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:forkotov02/ppa

Then update package lists:

sudo apt-get update

Finally install the player as well as the plugin pack.

sudo apt-get install qmmp qmmp-plugin-pack

That’s it. Enjoy!

In Howtos qmmp

Install Cinelerra Video Editor in Ubuntu 13.10, Linux Mint 16

Last updated: October 3, 2013

This tutorial is going to show beginners how to install Cinelerra-CV Video Editor in Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy or Linux Mint 16 Petra.

Cinelerra-CV is the community version of Cinelerra which adds new enhancements to the official source code. So far, the latest is version 2.2 and it’s available in PPA for Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy, Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal, Ubuntu 12.04 Precise, Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid and their derivatives.

Install Cinelerra via PPA:

To get started, hit Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terinal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cinelerra-ppa/ppa

Then update package lists on your system:

sudo apt-get update

Finally install the package:

sudo apt-get install cinelerra-cv

If you’d like to install the official version of cinelerra, download the Debs from this page.

In Howtos cinelerra, cinelerra-cv, Ubuntu 13.10

Nvidia Driver 319.60 Released, Install in Ubuntu / Linux Mint

Last updated: October 2, 2013

The Latest Long Lived Nvidia Driver 319.60 has been released with bug fixes and GeForce GTX 760 Ti OEM supported. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy, Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, Ubuntu 12.04 Precise, and Linux Mint.

What’s new in Nvidia 319.60:

Added support for the GPU GeForce GTX 760 Ti OEM
Fixed a bug that could cause OpenGL applications to crash during the initialization of new threads.
Fixed a bug that caused the GPU and Memory clock frequencies for some PowerMizer performance levels on Kepler boards to be reported incorrectly in the nvidia-settings control panel.
Fixed a bug that caused the X server to fail to start on certain laptops when the boot display was on an external DisplayPort monitor, for example if the laptop was booted while the lid was closed.

Download & Install Nvidia 319.60:

NOTE: If you’ve already installed an old version of NVIDIA proprietary driver on your machine, remove it before getting started (see step 5).

1. Download the driver:

Nvidia driver 319.60 for Linux 32-bit

Nvidia driver 319.60 for Linux 64-bit

2. Once downloaded, open your file browser and navigate to the downloads page. Right-click on the package and go to its Properties window. Under Permissions tab, check the box where is says “allow executing file as program”

3. Press Ctrl+Alt+F1 to switch to TTY1 command console. Log in with your username and password. When you’re in, you need to run command to stop the graphic session (For Linux Mint or Gnome, change lighdm to mdm or gdm):

sudo stop lightdm

4. Start the installer and follow the on screen prompts:

sudo sh ~/Downloads/NVIDIA-Linux-*-319.60.run

When done, restart your computer by command sudo reboot.

5. (Optional) If for some reason the new drivers do not work properly, re-do step 3. and then uninstall the driver via:

sudo ~/Downloads/NVIDIA-Linux-*-319.60.run --uninstall

Enjoy!

In Howtos nvidia, Nvidia Driver

Upgrade to Kernel 3.10.14 in Ubuntu 13.10/13.04/12.04/Linux Mint

Last updated: October 2, 2013

The Linux Kernel 3.10.14 LTS series has been released. All users of Kernel 3.10 series are urged to upgrade as soon as possible. This quick tutorial shows how to do it in Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 13.04, Ubuntu 12.04 and Linux Mint.

The Kernel 3.10.14 includes a serious of bug fixes as well as updated drivers. See the official announcement.

Upgrade to Kernel 3.10.14:

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

For 32-bit system:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.14-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.14-031014-generic_3.10.14-031014.201310011335_i386.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.14-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.14-031014_3.10.14-031014.201310011335_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.14-saucy/linux-image-3.10.14-031014-generic_3.10.14-031014.201310011335_i386.deb

For 64-bit system:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.14-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.14-031014-generic_3.10.14-031014.201310011335_amd64.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.14-saucy/linux-headers-3.10.14-031014_3.10.14-031014.201310011335_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.10.14-saucy/linux-image-3.10.14-031014-generic_3.10.14-031014.201310011335_amd64.deb

Then install them via:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.10.14*.deb linux-image-3.10.14*.deb

Finally, restart your computer and done!

In Howtos kernel, Linux Kernel

Linux Kernel 3.11.3 Released, Install / Upgrade in Ubuntu

Last updated: October 2, 2013

The latest Linux Kernel has reached 3.11.3. All users of 3.11 series are urged to upgrade as soon as possible. Here’s how to upgrade to new kernel release in Ubuntu 13.10, Ubuntu 13.04, Ubuntu 12.04 and Linux Mint.

Linux Kernel 3.11.3 includes a lot of bug fixes as well as updated drivers. See the official announcement.

Upgrade to Kernel 3.11.3

To upgrade to this kernel, press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run commands below to download the DEBs:

For 32-bit system:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.11.3-saucy/linux-headers-3.11.3-031103-generic_3.11.3-031103.201310011421_i386.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.11.3-saucy/linux-headers-3.11.3-031103_3.11.3-031103.201310011421_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.11.3-saucy/linux-image-3.11.3-031103-generic_3.11.3-031103.201310011421_i386.deb

For 64-bit system:

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.11.3-saucy/linux-headers-3.11.3-031103-generic_3.11.3-031103.201310011421_amd64.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.11.3-saucy/linux-headers-3.11.3-031103_3.11.3-031103.201310011421_all.deb

wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.11.3-saucy/linux-image-3.11.3-031103-generic_3.11.3-031103.201310011421_amd64.deb

Once downloaded, run below command to install them:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.11.3*.deb linux-image-3.11.3*.deb

Restart your computer and done!

In Howtos kernel, Kernel 3.11 series, Linux Kernel

Disable Guest Account from Ubuntu 13.10 Login Screen

Last updated: October 1, 2013

This quick tip is going to show beginners how to disable the Guest session from Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy LightDM Login Screen.

Guest Session comes default in Ubuntu Unity, which anyone can log into from the login screen without password. You can easily remove it by the steps below:

1.) Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, copy and paste below code and hit Enter.

sudo gedit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d/50-unity-greeter.conf

2.) It opens the config file. All you need to do is add below line into the file and click save.

allow-guest=false

The changes will take effect when you restart your computer. Enjoy!

In Howtos remove guest session, Ubuntu 13.10

Enable Hardware Acceleration on Intel Graphics Cards in Ubuntu

Last updated: February 11, 2014

This tutorial is going to show you how to enable hardware acceleration on Intel graphics cards using VDPAU driver.

VDPAU is an open-source library and API allows to video programs to offload portions of the video decoding process and video post-processing to the GPU video-hardware. If VDPAU available, CPU usage can be significantly lower.

Applications that uses VDPAU:

Avidemux as of version 2.6
Boxee
GStreamer
MPlayer
MythTV
XBMC Media Center
XBMC Live
Xine
MLT
Adobe Flash 10.2 Stage Video and later versions (32-bit only presently)
VLC media player 2.1

VDPAU is not available on Intel graphics cards. Fortunately, there’s an open-source project called libvdpau-va-gl, which is a VDPAU driver that uses OpenGL under the hood to accelerate drawing and scaling, and VA-API (if available) to accelerate video decoding. You can use it on some Intel chips.

Install libvdpau-va-gl via PPA on Ubuntu

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run below commands one by one (Supports Ubuntu 13.10, 13.04, 12.10, 12.04).

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libvdpau-va-gl1

To install the VAAPI drivers for Intel HD Graphics:

sudo apt-get install i965-va-driver

To launch an application with the driver, for example, launch firefox:

VDPAU_DRIVER=va_gl firefox

To force Adobe Flash to use the hardware acceleration:

sudo mkdir -p /etc/adobe
echo "EnableLinuxHWVideoDecode=1" | sudo tee /etc/adobe/mms.cfg
echo "OverrideGPUValidation=1" | sudo tee -a /etc/adobe/mms.cfg

To enable the driver for system-wide (not recommended):

sudo sed -i "s/^# \[/\[/g" /etc/X11/Xsession.d/20vdpau-va-gl
sudo sed -i "s/^# export/ export/g" /etc/X11/Xsession.d/20vdpau-va-gl

via: libvdpau-va-gl on Github | webupd8

In modify ubuntu Hardware Acceleration, Intel Graphics Cards