UbuntuHandbook | Author Archives

Archives For November 30, 1999

Completely Turn Off Automatic Updates of Snap Apps in Ubuntu

Last updated: July 25, 2023 — 10 Comments

Ubuntu finally added support for disabling automatic updates for snap applications, though it’s currently considered experimental at the moment of writing.

As you may know, Snap is an universal package format runs in sandbox. It’s developed by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, as a competitor to Flatpak.

The pre-installed Firefox in Ubuntu 22.04+, and Ubuntu Software in Ubuntu 20.04+ are Snap applications. And there are lots of apps in Ubuntu Software available as Snap, including Chromium browser, Skype, and more.

By default, Snap apps automatically update to the newest version. Though, user can delay or specify when to perform updates. It was impossible to completely disable automatic updates due to security issue.

But as the snap update mechanism has been continuously refined, and to give IT teams more control they expect for Linux systems, this long-awaited feature is finally released for preview.

Hold or completely disable Snap updates

The function is done via a new --hold parameter using snap refresh command.

For example, completely disable automatic updates for Firefox via command:
```
snap refresh --hold firefox
```
It will output something like “General refreshes of “firefox” held indefinitely”.
Or, hold automatic updates for 24 hours for both firefox and snap-store via command:
```
snap refresh --hold=24h firefox snap-store
```
For all the Snap apps, just skip package name in the command. So, disable automatic updates for all apps by running command:
```
snap refresh --hold
```

Oppositely, re-enable automatically updates via --unhold parameter.

To re-enable updates for all apps, use command:
```
snap refresh --unhold
```
To re-enable center apps, such as Firefox, use command:
```
snap refresh --unhold firefox
```

Switch Snapd to edge channel

UPDATE: This feature is available in stable release. You don’t have to switch to edge channel any more!

As mentioned, the feature is not in edge channel for preview. If you found the commands above do not work, but you really want to try it out, switch Snapd daemon to edge channel via command:

snap refresh snapd --edge

And verify by running snap list |grep snapd command.

To switch back the daemon package to stable channel, use command:

snap refresh snapd --stable

via: this post.

In Howtos snap

Use GTK4 port of Desktop Icons NG Extension in Ubuntu 22.04

Last updated: May 8, 2024 — Leave a comment

As you may know, icons on Ubuntu desktop is handled by an extension called “Desktop Icons NG”. While GNOME has been moving to GTK4, the extension so far still uses GTK3 toolkit to implement all the functions.

A GTK4 port of this extension now is in development, with all previous functions, bug-fixes, as well new features.

The new version works as another extension as it’s not been merged upstream. It comes with GSconnect integration, and features drag and drop app icons from Ubuntu Dock (Dash-to-Dock) to the desktop.

Drag and drop from left dock panel to desktop will REMOVE app icon from favorites.
Hold Ctrl + drag and drop will REMOVE from favorites, and ADD onto desktop.
Hold Shift + drag and drop will ADD icon to desktop without removing it from favorites.

Also, it adds more functions to drag and drop files from file manager (Nautilus) to the desktop. By default, drag and drop between desktop and Nautilus will MOVE the files from one to another directory. With the new extension, you can also:

Press and hold Ctrl + drag’n’drop to COPY files.
Press and hold Alt + drag and drop to select between ‘MOVE’, ‘COPY’, ‘LINK’ actions.

As well, it has a GNOME 43 style file context menu when you right-clicking on desktop. When looks more native in Ubuntu 22.04, except for the arrow …

Install GTK4 port of Desktop Icons NG:

1. Ubuntu 22.04+ users can first search for and install ‘Extension Manager’ app from Ubuntu Software.

Install Extension Manager in Ubuntu 22.04+

2. Then press Super (‘Windows’ logo) key on keyboard to open overview, search and open the tool.

3. Finally, search ‘DING’ and install the new extension under ‘Browse’ tab.

4. To use the extension, user has to disable the system built-in ‘Desktop Icons NG’ extension, and enable the new GTK4 version.

To restore, just re-enable ‘Desktop Icons NG’, disable or remove the GTK4 version via Extension Manager.

In Howtos Gnome

Mozilla Firefox 107 Available to Install via Ubuntu PPA

Last updated: November 13, 2022 — Leave a comment

A new monthly release of Firefox web browser to be released soon! Users of Mozilla team PPA should already received the updates.

Though it’s not officially announced at the moment of writing, user can however check what’s new in the release via the Github Releases page.

And, here are the changes in Firefox 107 according to it:

Improved the performance of the instance when Microsoft’s IME and Defender retrieve the URL of a focused document in Windows 11 version 22H2.
Power profiling visualizing performance data recorded from web browsers is now also supported on Linux and Mac with Intel CPUs, in addition to Windows 11 and Apple Silicon.
A couple of helpful improvements in Firefox DevTools making it easier to debug WebExtensions:
- New webext argument to automatically open DevTools.
- Simple to inspect popup windows (implemented by WebExtension) using DevTools.
- Reload button in the DevTools toolbox to see the changes you made in source code.
Various bug fixes and new policies implemented.

How to Install Firefox 107 in Ubuntu:

The best way to install the new Firefox release package is just wait! Wait until Ubuntu developer team build the package and publish into official system repository. So, just keep your system up-to-date, you’ll get Firefox 107 in next few days!

For Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 22.10 users who prefer the classic .deb package, the 107 release is already available in the Mozillateam PPA. Simply open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, and run commands below one by one:

NOTE: This PPA now supports all current Ubuntu releases, meaning Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 20.04 are also supported.

1. Add the Mozillateam PPA by running command:
```
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/ppa
```
2. Check updates for old Ubuntu releases:
```
sudo apt update
```
3. Finally, install Firefox from the PPA via command:
```
sudo apt install -t "o=LP-PPA-mozillateam" firefox
```

IMPORTANT: to avoid Ubuntu 22.04+ to override the PPA package with system built-in Snap package, you have to create a config file under ‘/etc/apt/preferences.d’, and write following rules (See this guide for details):

# Prefer Firefox package from Mozillateam PPA

Package: firefox*
Pin: release o=LP-PPA-mozillateam
Pin-Priority: 501

In Howtos web

VLC 3.0.18 is Out! How to Install in Ubuntu 22.04 | 20.04

Last updated: July 1, 2023 — 6 Comments

The classic VLC media player got a new release after more than half a year of development. Here’s the changes and how to install guide.

VLC 3.0.18 is probably the last release of the 3.0.x series, as VLC 4.0 is under developing now. It features:

Support RISC-V CPU architecture
Add support DVBSub subtitle in MKV video.
Y16 chroma support
Improve SMBv1/SMBv2 behavior and FTP compatibility.
Fix AVI muxing for Windows Media Player compatibility
Fix seeking speed on macOS
Various other fixes and improvements.

How to Install VLC 3.0.18 in Ubuntu:

Option 1: Official Snap package

Though it’s not announced at the moment of writing, the official Snap package has been made into Ubuntu Software for Ubuntu 20.04 and higher users. Which however is an universal package format that runs in sandbox.

Install VLC 3.0.18 as Snap in Ubuntu Software

Option 2: Third-party PPA

For those prefer the native .deb package format, there’s an unofficial PPA contains the package for Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 20.04.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/vlc

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2. Old Ubuntu and Linux Mint user need to refresh the package cache by running the command below:

sudo apt update

3. Finally, install or update VLC package via:

sudo apt install vlc

Uninstall VLC 3.0.18

For the official snap package, you can simply click uninstall button in Ubuntu Software.

For the PPA package, it’s HIGHLY recommended to purge the PPA which also downgrade all installed libraries, so to avoid dependency issue. To do so, run the commands below one by one:

sudo apt install ppa-purge

sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/vlc

After purging the PPAs, clean up useless libraries via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove vlc-data vlc-bin

That’s all. Enjoy!

In Howtos video

Firefox in Ubuntu 22.04 Finally Get Back Native Messaging Support

Last updated: November 7, 2022 — 1 Comment

The pre-installed Firefox Snap package in Ubuntu 22.04 & 22.10 now works again for native messaging support. Meaning user can now make it work with GSConnect, KeePassXC, Plasma extension, and/or installing Gnome Shell Extensions,

As you may know, Ubuntu switched to the Snap version of Firefox that runs in sandbox since 21.10. Which, however broke the feature to exchange messages with native applications.

Thanks to Flatpak team for working on a new WebExtensions XDG desktop portal and its integration in Firefox. The new native messaging feature is available for testing for a few months in beta channel. And, it’s made int stable channel just a few days ago.

Firefox as Snap

How to Get it

If you’re now using Firefox as Snap, just wait it will automatically update to the latest version with the new feature. Or, open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard and run command:

sudo snap refresh firefox --stable

And install the XDG desktop portal package by running command in terminal. Also install chrome-gnome-shell if you want to use Firefox to install Gnome shell extensions.

sudo apt update && sudo apt install xdg-desktop-portal

For switching from Firefox .deb package back to Snap, just remove PPA priority file (if any) under ‘/etc/apt/preferences.d/’ directory, then run the command below in terminal:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install firefox

Finally launch Firefox, install or visit the page that need native message exchange. It will pop-up a dialog asks user to grant the permission.

Firefox Snap ask for native messaging permission

In Howtos Firefox

Enable macOS spotlight style Search Box in Ubuntu 24.04 | 22.04

Last updated: May 8, 2024 — 1 Comment

Prefer macOS spotlight or Alfred style search system? You can now get similar feature in Ubuntu via an extension.

It’s ‘Search Light‘, an extension so far supports for Gnome 42 ~ 46, meaning for Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, Fedora 38~40, Debian 12, Arch and Manjaro Linux.

With it, you may press a custom shortcut key on keyboard to open the search box. Then, type to search and launch applications, settings, and/or app content.

It uses system’s built in search function, with settings to show search box in preferred monitor, change background, opacity, and search window size.

Search Light with custom background color & opacity

How to Install ‘Search Light’ extension:

For Ubuntu 22.04+ and Arch Linux, first search for and install ‘Extension Manager‘ from Ubuntu Software (App Center) or system software app.

Install Extension Manager in Ubuntu Software/App Center

Then, search for and launch the tool from ‘Activities’ overview screen.

You can finally go to ‘Browse’ tab in Extension Manager to search & install the extension.

And, go back to ‘Installed’ tab in Extension Manager to open the configuration dialog. Finally, set your favorite shortcut key, choose monitor (if more than one available), and change the layout appearance.

Fedora user can simply go to extension web-page, and install it by using the ON/OFF switch. And, install ‘Gnome Extensions’ app from Gnome Software for configuring the extension.

In Howtos App Launcher

Add Weather in Top-Bar Clock Area in Ubuntu 22.04 | 24.04

Last updated: September 1, 2024 — 2 Comments

There are quite a few weather applications for Linux desktop. GNOME, the default desktop environment for Ubuntu, Fedora, and some other Linux, also has a core weather application.

With the core weather app, user can either open the app window to get current weather condition, hourly and daily forecast, or open the clock menu to see the weather forecast for next hours.

Gnome Weather and Clock menu integration

To make life easier, there’s also an extension which add current weather condition and temperature in center of top panel. So, user can get a glimpse of it and date time by looking up.

Step 1: Install & Setup Gnome Weather

First, you need to install “Gnome Weather”, the core GNOME app. It’s available to install in Ubuntu through either App Center (for 24.04) or Ubuntu Software (for 22.04 and earlier).

NOTE: App Center in Ubuntu 24.04 by default shows Snap package! For better integration, it’s better use “Filter by: Debian package” for classic Deb package.

For choice, user can open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run the command below instead to install it:

sudo apt install gnome-weather

Then, launch the app. Set your location, and choose your favorite temperature unit. After that, you can click the clock on top-bar and see the weather info in drop-down menu.

Step 2: Install the Weather O’Clock extension

To also display the weather on top-bar besides clock, then you may install the Weather O’Clock extension mentioned above. It works on GNOME from version 42 to 46, meaning Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 24.04 supported.

For Ubuntu and Arch, first search for and install ‘Extension Manager’ from Ubuntu Software (or App Center).

Install Extension Manager in Ubuntu Software/App Center

Then, search for and launch the tool from ‘Activities’ overview screen.

Finally, search for and install the Weather O’Clock extension under Browse tab. For Ubuntu 22.04, you may switch filter in case it does not show your the correct search result.

And other Linux can get the extension at this web page.

In Howtos Gnome

Display Login Screen in External Monitor in Ubuntu 22.04 | 24.04

Last updated: May 4, 2024 — 8 Comments

Have multiple monitors connected into your Ubuntu machine? Here’s the quick tip shows you how to configure which one to display the login screen.

It’s quite easy to set primary display in Ubuntu with default GNOME desktop. However, the login screen is always sticking to the built-in display in my laptop. In case you use the external monitor for the most time, you may also set it as primary display for the GDM login screen by following this tutorial.

NOTE: This tutorial is tested only in Ubuntu with default GNOME desktop! Though, it may also work in other Linux with GNOME (e.g., Fedora, Debian and Arch) or Linux with GDM display manager.

Step 1: Set Primary Display in Gnome Control Center

First of all, open Settings (aka Gnome Control Center) from the top-right corner system tray menu.

Then, navigate to Displays in the left, and choose the monitor in the right you want to use it as primary.

This step is required to generate a XML config file under user’s ‘.config‘ folder. Though, you may switch to another display as primary at anytime as you want.

Step 2: Apply Primary Display for GDM Login Screen

As mentioned above, the previous step generates a XML config file automatically. By copying the file into GDM’s config folder will make it also work for the login screen.

To do so, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. Then, run command:

sudo cp ~/.config/monitors.xml /var/lib/gdm3/.config/

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter. For other Linux, you may have to replace gdm3 in command with gdm.

Now, save your work and log out to see the magic!

(Optional) Disable the built-in display on startup

Another annoying thing when using multiple monitor in Ubuntu Linux is that the Grub boot menu screen is always displaying in built-in monitor. I can’t figure out how to make it work in external screen as it seems to be responsible to BIOS.

However, you can disable the built-in display on startup and use the external screen only by adding a Kernel parameter.

NOTE: After this step, Grub boot-menu still shows in built-in display, though it goes always blank after that, even after disconnected the external monitor.

1. First, boot up and log into your Ubuntu desktop. Open terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T shortcut on keyboard.

2. Disconnect the external monitor, and run command to get the device ID of built-in display:

for p in /sys/class/drm/*/status; do con=${p%/status}; \ echo -n "${con#*/card?-}: "; cat $p; done

Some said the last command does not work. If so, you may run command below instead. Usually, the first one is the ID of built-in display.

cat ~/.config/monitors.xml |grep connector

Or, just log out and choose login via ‘Ubuntu on Xorg’ via bottom right gear button. And, run xrandr -q to see the display device name.

3. Re-connect your external monitor, and run command to edit the configuration file for Grub:

sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

Replace gedit with gnome-text-editor for Ubuntu 24.04 or use nano that works in most Linux. When file opens, add video=eDP-1:d as value of ‘GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT’. So the line will look like:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quite splash video=eDP-1:d"

Here ‘d‘ will disable the device. Though you have to change eDP-1 to your device name you got in last step.

After saving the change, run sudo update-grub to reload the Grub settings and done!

In addition, you may add video=Device-Name:e or video=Device-Name:D kernel parameter to force enable external monitor on startup if need.

In Howtos GDM

HPLIP 3.22.10 Released with Linux Mint 21, RHEL 9, Manjaro 21.3 Support

Last updated: November 2, 2022 — Leave a comment

HPLIP, the open-source HP printer and scanner driver for Linux, released version 3.22.10 today with new Linux distributions support.

The installer script for the new release is now working on Manjaro 21.3, Suse 15.4, RHEL 9, Linux Mint 21.0, Mx Linux 21.2.

The release does not include any new HP printer and scanner support. Meaning you can just skip this release if the last HPLIP 3.22.6 was installed on your system. And for Ubuntu 22.10, the 3.22.6 release is available to install in system repository.

Download & Install HPLIP 3.22.10

The installer script for the new release is available to download at the link below:

Download HPLIP

Just grab the ‘hplip-3.22.10.run’ installer. Then, you may start installing it via the steps below:

Right-click blank area in the folder that you saved the ‘.run’ installer (usually ‘Downloads’ folder). Then, select ‘Open in Terminal‘.
When terminal opens, run command to add executable permission for the HPLIP package:
```
chmod u+x hplip-3.22.10.run
```
Finally, run it to start installing the driver:
```
./hplip-3.22.10.run
```

During installing process, it automatically detects your system, asks you to type user password, select install mode.

When done installing driver, it will ask to plug or re-plug your printer/scanner and start a graphical wizard for easily setting up your device. And, you can print a test page in last step to see if your device works.

As well, HPLIP has an indicator in system tray allowing to easily manage events and configure device settings.

In Howtos hp

Kart Racing Game SuperTuxKart 1.4 is out! How to Install in Ubuntu

Last updated: November 1, 2022 — Leave a comment

The free open-source kart racing game, SuperTuxKart, released the new stable 1.4 version. Here’s the new features and how to install guide for Ubuntu Linux.

SuperTuxKart 1.4 fixed a dependency bug for MacOS user, meaning it’s now running again for macOS ranging from 10.9 to 10.14 (Mavericks to Mojave).

The release also introduced experimental support for Vulkan renderer, for low CPU usage and better multi-platform support. User may try it out by either typing “/vulkan” in networking lobby and restart the game, or starting the game with --render-driver=vulkan argument.

A new character Godette, the mascot of the Godot Engine, is introduced in the release. And, the Konqi now has a newer and maturer look.

New Godette character

Other changes include:

Lap trial mode
ARMv7 build for Windows
LOD optimization
Implement HiDPI support in SDL2 properly.
Make sky particle always fall vertically.
Updated Battle Island and Cave X.
New textures in Shifting Sands.
Add track searching to network track screen
Allow using real addon karts
Add left side ghost replay difficulties

How to Install SuperTuxKart 1.4 in Ubuntu

The game is available in Ubuntu Linux via Snap, Deb, and Flatpak package, though they all are not updated at the moment of writing.

Portable Tarball

In case you can’t wait to try it out, download the portable tarball from releases page.

Download SuperTuxKart

Select download the ‘SuperTuxKart-1.4-linux-x86_64.tar.xz’ for modern 64-bit PC/laptop, and arm64 (or armv7) package for mobile device. Then, just extract and run the executable file to start the game.

Snap package

Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 22.10 user can directly search for and install the game from Ubuntu Software app. Though it’s a Snap package runs in sandbox and still in v1.3 at the moment of writing, it updates automatically once the maintainer publish the new package.

SuperTuxKart in Ubuntu Software

Ubuntu PPA

For those prefer the native .deb package format. The game has an official PPA with all current Ubuntu releases support.

1. First, open terminal either from start menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stk/dev

Type user password when it asks (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then update and install the game:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install supertuxkart

After that, you can always get the latest game packages by receiving updates via Software Updater (Update Manager).

Uninstall SuperTuxKart

For snap package, simply remove it using Ubuntu Software.

For the PPA package, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove supertuxkart supertuxkart-data

And remove the PPA either via Software & Updates utility under ‘Other Software’ tab or run command below in a terminal window:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:stk/dev

In Howtos game