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Archives For November 30, 1999

Airtime: Free Open-Source Radio Automation for Ubuntu Linux

Last updated: July 31, 2013

This simple tutorial is going to introduce you an Ubuntu radio automation software Airtime. It is a free and open source radio management application for remote broadcast automation, and program exchange between radio stations.

Airtime

Airtime has been intended to provide a solution for a wide range of broadcast projects, from community to public and commercial stations. The scalability of Airtime allows implementation in a number of scenarios, ranging from an unmanned broadcast unit accessed remotely through the Internet, to a local network of machines accessing a central Airtime storage system. Airtime supports the playout of lossy compressed audio files in both MP3 and AAC formats and the open, royalty-free equivalent Ogg Vorbis. It also supports playout of lossless FLAC and WAV format audio files.

Airtime has been intended to provide a solution for a wide range of broadcast projects, from community to public and commercial stations. The scalability of Airtime allows implementation in a number of scenarios, ranging from an unmanned broadcast unit accessed remotely through the Internet, to a local network of machines accessing a central Airtime storage system. Airtime supports the playout of lossy compressed audio files in both MP3 and AAC formats and the open, royalty-free equivalent Ogg Vorbis. It also supports playout of lossless FLAC and WAV format audio files.

Install Airtime on Ubuntu Desktop:

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run below commands to download airtime-easy-setup:

wget http://apt.sourcefabric.org/misc/airtime-easy-setup.deb

Install the package via:

sudo dpkg -i airtime-easy-setup.deb; sudo apt-get -f install

Then you’ll be able to install Airtime from Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic Package Manager.

For Web version, go to http://airtime-demo.sourcefabric.org/

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FSGamer: Improve Full Screen Gaming in Ubuntu Linux

Last updated: July 30, 2013

In this tutorial I’ll introduce you a new project, FSGamer, which can improve full screen gaming in Ubuntu Linux (still in alpha).

FSGamer ubuntu game

FSGamer ubuntu

FSGamer runs games in their own X server, which can improve the speed, reduce annoying interruptions, and make switching between fullscreen games and your desktop easy and reliable.

To install this tool, click to download the deb and then follow below steps:

1.) First, install from the deb package, assuming it is in Downloads:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/fsgamer_0.1.1_all.deb

2.) Allow FSGamer to start extra X server:

sudo cp /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config.backup
sudo gedit /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config

then change the line allowed_users=console to allowed_users=anybody.

3.) Allow audio to work in the new X server (change $USER to your username):

sudo usermod -a -G audio $USER

After the previous step, you may have to reboot in order for the audio settings to take effect.

NOTE: This is alpha quality software. It is also very sloppily written, and may crash everything and make you cry. So save your work! :)

Project Homepage: http://michaelb.org/projects/fsgamer/

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How to Install NitroShare in Ubuntu 13.10 & 13.04 via PPA

Last updated: March 11, 2015

NitroShare is a network file-sharing application that makes sending a file to another machine on the local network as easy as dragging-and-dropping.

nitroshare drag & drop transfer

NitroShare is designed to be hassle-free in every aspect. Just install the application on any machine running Ubuntu or Windows and you’re all set. Each machine should discover all of the other machines on the local network. The application integrates with the operating system, using application indicators on Ubuntu and the system tray on Windows.

nitroshare indicator

Install NitroShare:

NitroShare PPA contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy, 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal, 12.04 Precise.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:george-edison55/nitroshare

Then you can click ‘Reload’ on Synaptic Package Manager and then install this home network sharing software. Or you can do it via below command:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install nitroshare

For Ubuntu 14.04 and higher, download “nitroshare_0.2_amd64.deb” for 32-bit OS or “nitroshare_0.2_i386.deb” for 64-bit OS from Launchpad.net and install it via Software Center.

Once installed, open it from Unity Dash home.

nitroshare in unity

For the first time launching this application, you’ll need to follow on the setup wizard. When you’re done, you’ll see the panel indicator and the icons on bottom-right corner of your desktop.

Use indicator menu or drag and drop file onto the desktop icon to start transfering. Target machine will receive a confirm dialog.

nitroshare confirm dialog

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Lince: light and full featured Bittorrent client inspired by azureus

Last updated: April 4, 2019

There are quiet a few bittorrent programs for Ubuntu Linux. Lince is one which aims to be lightweight and efficient.

Lince bittorrent client

Lince is a light and full featured Bittorrent client coded in C++. The graphic interface has been designed to resemble the old Azureus, simple but powerful. Giving the user all the information in an easy and intuitive way. Another strong point of Lince is its capacity to allow the user to configure it according to his/her wishes.

Lince also has efficiency as top goal. It meets user requirements using as few resources as necessary. Give it a try you will be surprised by its speed and low memory consumption!

Here is non exhaustive list of features that you will find in Lince:

  • A nice User Interface inspired by the old Azureus.
  • UPnP / NAT-PMP port forwarding support.
  • Encryption support (compatible with Vuze / Azureus).
  • Advanced user, tracker and file management.
  • Advanced torrent queue management.
  • Bandwidth scheduler.
  • DHT (trackerless) support.
  • uTorrent Peer eXchange support (PeX).
  • Support for Magnet links.
  • Internationalization support(translators needed).
  • Unicode support.
  • Connection though a proxy.
  • Search engine included.
  • IP Filtering similar to the one in eMule.

Install Lince via PPA:

The GetDeb repository contains latest Lince (1.3) for Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal, 12.04 Precise and Linux Mint 13 Maya, 14 Nadia, 15 Olivia users.

For Ubuntu users, download and install below deb to add the getdeb repository:

Download getdeb

For Linux Mint users, enable the repository from Start menu -> Software Sources -> Additional Repositories

enable getdeb repository

After that, install the client via your package manager. Or run below command in terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open it):

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install lince

lince ubuntu unity

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Jupiter is available for Ubuntu 13.04 from JoliCloud PPA Repository

Last updated: July 26, 2013

As you may know, Jupiter is a powerful and lightweight power and hardware control applet. It has been retired and last supported release is up to Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal. However, Jupiter is available for Ubuntu 13.04 from JoliCloud Desktop Environment PPA.

Jupiter on Ubuntu 13.04

The webupd8team add the packages to the ppa and it’ll be used as a background program for JoliCloud session. I’ve installed it on my laptop and it’s working well.

Install Jupiter on Ubuntu 13.04:

Note that don’t install it on a product machine. Use it as your own risk!

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jolicloud-team/ppa

Then update package lists and install:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install jupiter

To install Jupiter support package for Eee PCs:

sudo apt-get install jupiter-support-eee

jupiter ubuntu 13.04 unity

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DiffImg: Simple Image Comparison Tool for Ubuntu Linux

Last updated: July 24, 2013

DiffImg is a simple image comparison tool which take two images with the same size as input. Some statitics are computed and the positions where pixel differ are displayed as a color mask.

diffimag image comparison tool

There are very few image difference tools for Ubuntu Linux. DiffImg is one of them which has a user friendly GUI. It uses OpenCV as backend so it can read and compare 8/16/24/32 bits images without problem but only single channel and RGB image has been take into account, so alpha channel isn’t supported.

Because DiffImg is written with Qt, it runs on Windows and Linux (MacOSX isn’t tested yet) and OS/2. It can read basic formats as BMP, PNG, JPG but also Tiff and OpenExR.

Current Features:

  • Image difference display : a yellow/red mask can overlay the original/modified images.
  • Single/Dual panels mode.
  • Statistic computation: Mean error, RMS error and min/max are computed.
  • Several metrics can be used for computing image difference.
  • Histogram of error.
  • “Slideshow” : DiffImg can compare directory of image, so you can switch to the previous/next comparison if you have two folders with the same image list.
  • Supported files :DifffImg uses Qt plugins to load images, so by default it can read basic formats as BMP, PNG, JPG and OpenCV supported formats (Tiff, OpenExR).
  • Basic batch mode

Install DiffImg:

A PPA repository has been created to make it easy to install for Ubuntu and Linux Mint users. So far, it supports Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal, 12.04 Precise and Linux Mint 13 Maya, 14 Nadia, 15 Olivia.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dhor/myway

Then you can update package lists and install the tool via Synaptic Package Manager, or run below command:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install diffimg

That’s it.

For other systems, Diffimg source code and exe file can be download from SourceForge.

diffimg on ubuntu unity

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Pogo: A Ultra Lightweight Audio Player for Ubuntu Linux

Last updated: July 23, 2013

Pogo is an ultra lightweight music player for Ubuntu Linux. It is a fork of Decibel Audio Player and supports most common audio formats. Pogo is written in Python and uses GTK+ and gstreamer.

pogo ultra lightweight audio player

Pogo plays your music. Nothing else. It is both fast and easy-to-use. The clear interface uses the screen real-estate very efficiently. Other features include: Fast search on the harddrive and in the playlist, smart album grouping, cover display, desktop notifications and no music library.

pogo-notifications

Install Pogo Audio Player:

The developer has created a ppa repository to make it easy to install for Ubuntu and Linux Mint users. So far it supports Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy, 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal, 12.04 Precise, 10.04 Lucid.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pogo-dev/daily

After that, update package lists and install Pogo via command below:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install pogo
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How to Install Rockbox Utility on Ubuntu 24.04 | 22.04

Last updated: May 19, 2024

This simple tutorial shows you how to install Rockbox Utility on Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 20.04.

Rockbox Utility on Ubuntu

What is Rockbox:

As you may know, Rockbox is a free and open source replacement for the standard firmware in various forms of digital audio players (DAPs). It offers an alternative to the player’s operating system, in many cases without removing the original firmware, which provides a plug-in architecture for adding various enhancements and functions. Enhancements include personal digital assistant (PDA) functions, applications, utilities, and games. Rockbox can also retrofit video playback functions on players first released in mid-2000. Rockbox includes a voice-driven user-interface suitable for operation by visually impaired users.

Rockbox iPod

What is Rockbox Utility

Rockbox Utility is a free computer application that is used to install and manage Rockbox on DAPs. It provides automatic installation of Rockbox, as well as themes and voice files, directly onto a DAP with minimal user interaction.

Rockbox Utility is updated frequently as support for new devices is added. Currently supported devices include iPod, iPod Mini, iPod Nano, Archos Jukebox series, Cowon X5, M5, M3, iRiver H10/H100/H300, Mpio HD200, Packard Bell Vibe 500, Philips GoGear, Samsung YH, SanDisk, Toshiba, Olympus. Read more

Features:

  • Base
    • Bootloader installation
    • Rockbox installation
  • Extras
    • Fontpack installation
    • Theme installation
    • Game files installation (i.e. freedoom)
  • Accessibility
    • Install voice file (from the webpage)
    • Create voicefile
    • Create .talk clips
  • Uninstallation
    • Uninstall bootloader
    • Uninstall Rockbox (partial, or full)
  • Manual
    • Access to the Manual of your device
  • Info
    • Shows all installed parts of Rockbox

Install Rockbox Utility:

The Rockbox Utility now provides universal AppImage package for Linux users.

Just go to the download page via the link below:

Download Rockbox Utility

Then click the link to download the package for Linux. At the moment of writing, the latest is RockboxUtility-v1.5.1.AppImage.

After downloaded the package, right-click on it in file manager, go to “Properties”, and enable “Executable as Program” option (under Permissions tab for 22.04 and earlier). Finally, click Run the AppImage will launch the app.

NOTE: Ubuntu 22.04 and higher does NOT support AppImage out-of-the-box. You need to press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal, then run command to get it support:

sudo apt install libfuse2
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How to Install Subsonic 4.8 on Ubuntu 13.04, 12.10, 12.04

Last updated: September 1, 2013

This simple tutorial is going to show you how to install Subsonic Music Streamer 4.8 on Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal, 12.04 Precise.

Subsonic is open-source, web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music and video collection. It supports most media formats, such as MP3, OGG, AAC and any other audio or video format that streams over HTTP.

Features:

  • Enjoy your music and movies no matter where you are. Share with family and friends.
  • Browse and manage your media collection with the user-friendly web interface.
  • Stream music to Android, iPhone and Windows Phone.
  • Subsonic apps available for Roku, BlackBerry Playbook and many more.
  • Convert and stream lossless music on the fly.
  • Manage 100,000+ files in your music collection without hassle.
  • Download and listen to Podcasts.
  • Get cover art, lyrics, reviews and other album info from Google, Chartlyrics, allmusic and Wikipedia.

Install Subsonic:

The official website provides the DEB installer for Ubuntu users. It can be download by clicking the below link:

Subsonic-4.8.deb

Subsonic requires Java, so first install OpenJDK from Ubuntu Software Center or Oracle Java from ppa.

Then double-click on the downloaded DEB package and select install on Ubuntu Software Center. Click ‘Ignore and install’ if you get the below dialog.

ignore Subsonic bad quality

Change user:

By default the Subsonic process is run as the root user. To improve security it is strongly advised that you run it as a dedicated user with less powerful privileges. You can specify this user by setting the SUBSONIC_USER variable in /etc/default/subsonic.

To do so, press Alt+F2, type in gksudo nautilus to open file browser with root permission. Then change username to yours in the picture.

subsonic-user

Note that non-root users are by default not allowed to use ports below 1024. Also make sure to grant the user write permissions in the music directories, otherwise changing album art and tags will fail.

After all, restart your computer and open the Subsonic web page on http://localhost:4040.

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Install SoundConverter 2.1.1 on Ubuntu 13.04, 12.10, 12.04

Last updated: July 22, 2013

This simple tutorial shows how to install SoundConverter on Ubuntu 13.04 Raring, 12.10 Quantal, 12.04 Precise and Linux Mint via GetDeb repository.

soundconverter

SoundConverter is a simple sound converter application for the GNOME environment. It reads sound files in any format supported by GStreamer and outputs them in Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, or WAV format, or MP3 format if you have the GStreamer LAME plugin.

SoundConverter aims to be simple to use, and very fast. Thanks to its multithreaded design, it will use as many cores as possible to speed up the conversion. It can also extract the audio from videos.

Tutorial Objectives:

  • Install SoundConverter 2.1.1 on Ubuntu 13.04, 12.10, 12.04
  • Enjoy!

To get started, add the GetDeb repository. To do so, press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal. When it opens, run below commands to add the repository:

wget http://archive.getdeb.net/install_deb/getdeb-repository_0.1-1~getdeb1_all.deb

sudo dpkg -i getdeb-repository_0.1-1~getdeb1_all.deb

Then you can search for and install soundconverter via synaptic package manager. Or run below commands to update package lists and install:

sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install soundconverter

Once installed, open it from Unity Dash.

soundconverter in unity

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