UbuntuHandbook

VirtualBox 7.1.0 Released! Modern New Icon / UI, Initial Arm Support

Last updated: September 12, 2024 — 4 Comments

Oracle finally announced the release of new major VirtualBox 7.1.0 after almost 2 years since the last feature release.

The release introduced a new logo icon with flat design, and re-fined the UI with modern look and feel. The Preferences and VM Settings dialog now include Basic and Expert tabs that will show/hide some extra settings.

It improved the font in Settings/Preferences to make the text more easy to read, as well it provides a “Search Box” in the dialog for searching settings. And, each VM now has new splash screen at very beginning of startup.

VirtualBox VM startup splash

In News Virtualbox

Enable One Time Password in Ubuntu 24.04 for SSH or Local Login

Last updated: September 17, 2024 — Leave a comment

This tutorial shows how to enable One Time PassWord in Ubuntu 24.04 for either local or remote SSH login.

One Time PassWord, OTPW in short, is a PAM module which is useful for allowing a user to login public or shared computer/server using a single-use password, that works only for one time.

By generating a list OTPW passwords, and configuring your system to allow OTPW logins, it will ask random one of the OTPW passwords on every login. And, that password will never work again once logged in successfully with it.

In Howtos password, security, ssh

Audacity 3.6.3 Released! Add Back Legacy Effects (Ubuntu PPA)

Last updated: September 10, 2024 — Leave a comment

Audacity audio editor announced 3.6.2 release a week ago, then version 3.6.3 a day ago with a quick-fix.

As you may know, Audacity 3.6.0 introduced new compressor and limiter effects, replacing the old ones. For those who prefer the classic effects, the new point release added a “Legacy” effects section, under “Effects” menu, that contains the old Limiter, Compressor and Classic Filters.

In News audacity, audio editor

Set up Authentication Key for Remote SSH Login in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: November 27, 2024 — Leave a comment

This is a simple tutorial shows how to disable password authentication, and use SSH key instead for remote login to remote Ubuntu Server or Desktop.

SSH (Secure Shell) is a popular and secure way to login remote servers and/or transfer data between local and remote machines. When you try to SSH to a remote server, it usually asks for user password for authentication.

However, passwords are not the most secure. They are generally either not complex or long enough to protect from attacks, or hard to remember and type again and again on every connection.

To be more secure and also save your time, the secure key authentication is a good choice. And, here’s how to set it up step by step.
Continue Reading…

In Howtos ssh

The Default Wallpapers of Ubuntu 24.10 Oracular Oriole Revealed

Last updated: September 6, 2024 — Leave a comment

Ubuntu 24.10, code-name Oracular Oriole, is coming in next month. Now, the default as well as optional wallpapers are out!

As before, the default wallpaper for Ubuntu 24.10 is made up of mascot (a songbird this time) in center and gradient background. The file is always named “warty-final-ubuntu.png”, and features 4K (3840×2160) resolution.

NOTE: The images in this post are optimized for fast loading. Scroll down for the download link!

Ubuntu 24.10 Wallpaper (scroll down for download link)

In News Ubuntu 24.10

How to Share your USB Device in Ubuntu 24.04 over LAN

Last updated: September 27, 2024 — 1 Comment

This tutorial shows how to share your USB device, e.g., USB mouse/keyboard, USB drive, webcam, and speaker, in Ubuntu so you can access remotely from other computers/laptops.

Linux Kernel includes a command line tool called USB/IP, allowing to share USB devices between computers with their full functionality. So, a computer can use remote USB devices as if they were directly attached.

If you just want to share USB mouse & keyboard between computers, then Barrier is a good choice. But for webcam, usb drive, printer (through it usually has option to do the job), and other general USB devices, this tutorial will show you how.

In Howtos network, USB

Firefox 130.0 Adds Experimental AI Chatbot & Video Auto Pop-out

Last updated: September 5, 2024 — Leave a comment

Mozilla announced the new Firefox web browser 130.0 release this Tuesday!

The new Firefox release introduced “Firefox Labs” page in Settings, allowing to try out experimental features which are in development and evolving, which could impact how the web browser works.

So far, it includes AI chatbot allowing to chat with ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, HuggingChat, and Le Chat Mistral. Though few of them need login first.

In News Firefox

Remap Keyboard Keys in Ubuntu 24.04 without 3rd Party Apps

Last updated: September 3, 2024 — 1 Comment

This is a step by step tutorial shows how to manually remap (or disable) keyboard keys in Ubuntu without using any third-party apps.

There are a few free open-source applications that can re-map your mouse, keyboard, and other input devices keys in Linux. As far as know, they include input remmaper and AntiMicroX.

For GNOME, the default desktop for Ubuntu and Fedora Workstation, there’s popular GNOME Tweak tool (available in AppCenter/GNOME Software) with options to remap Ctrl, Alt, and Caps Lock keys.

GNOME Tweaks

In Howtos keyboard

Disable Ubuntu Pro Updates in Ubuntu 24.04 Software Updater

Last updated: September 1, 2024 — 2 Comments

This tutorial shows how to disable “Ubuntu Pro” security updates in both apt command output and Software Updater dialog in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Ubuntu Pro is a comprehensive subscription for Extended Security Maintenance (esm in short), which also enables another 5-year support for Ubuntu LTS releases. And, it’s free for personal and small-scale commercial use on up to 5 machines.

In all current Ubuntu LTS releases, the apt upgrade command and “Software Updater” display the Ubuntu Pro updates, which is quite annoying. Rather than enable Ubuntu Pro, here’s how to get rid of the ads step by step.

Ubuntu Pro updates in Software Updater and terminal

In Howtos apt

How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04.1 from Ubuntu 22.04

Last updated: September 5, 2024 — Leave a comment

Ubuntu announced the first point release of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS few days ago with lots of bug-fixes and performance improvements. It’s time to upgrade to the new LTS, for users who were worrying about the stability issues.

Ubuntu 24.04 is the current Long Term Support (LTS) release with 5 years of standard support until 2029, another 5 years Ubuntu Pro support until 2034, as well as legacy support until 2036. It features Linux Kernel 6.8, GNOME Desktop 46, and various other changes, see the official release note for details.

The new LTS had various upgrade issues, and stability / performance issues, for apps and hardware including Nautilus file manager, the new tiling assistant, NVIDIA on Wayland, Pipewire sound server, hybrid GPU machines, Remmina RDP client, online accounts, cursor themes, and more! They are all fixed in the release of Ubuntu 24.04.1.