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Record Ubuntu Desktop Easily via Built-in Screen Recorder

Last updated: April 24, 2024

gnome shell

For Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.10, and higher with the default Gnome desktop environment, there’s a built-in screen recording tool you may not know.

For Ubuntu 23.10, Ubuntu 24.04, and later, the built-in screen recorder is now available in top-right system tray menu.

There’s no app shortcut or manual page for the hidden video recording tool. It has limited features that include:

  • Start recording by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R on keyboard.
  • Stop recording also by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R.
  • Maximum video length is 30s (change it via following steps).
  • Full-screen recording only.
  • Record to WebM only.
  • Automatically saved videos to user’s Videos folder.

Change video length time limit:

The maximum video length is 30 seconds by default. You can change 30 to any number in seconds or 0 with no time limit. Then you can press the shortcut key again at any time to stop the recording process.

1. Install Dconf Editor from Ubuntu Software and then launch it.

When it opens, navigate to org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/media-keys.

Screen down and click to change the value of ‘max-screencast-length’ as you want.

2. Alternatively, run single command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) to change the value:

gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.media-keys max-screencast-length 0

You may replace number 0 in the command as you want.

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Install MacOS Mojave Theme ‘McMojave’ in Ubuntu 24.04 | 22.04

Last updated: April 24, 2024

gnome shell

This simple tutorial shows how to install ‘McMojave’, a Mac OS Mojave like theme, in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 24.04 with default GNOME Desktop.

Following steps will first download and install the GTK theme, icons theme, and a set of wallpapers. And then apply new themes and tweak the left dock to make your Ubuntu desktop look like Mac OS X.

Install Mojave GTK theme:

1. First download the source code of GTK theme from the project releases page:

Download Mojave-GTK-Theme

2. Then extract the tarball, select ‘Open in Terminal‘ in source folder’s right-click menu.

3. When terminal opens, run command ./install.sh:

If everything goes OK, the GTK theme should installed successfully for single user usage.

Install Mojave icon theme:

The icon theme source code is available for download at the link below:

Download McMojave Icon Theme

Same to the GTK theme, after downloaded the Mojave icon theme, do following steps one by one:

  • extract the source code by right-clicking on the tarball and selecting ‘Extract Here’.
  • open icon folder in terminal by selecting ‘Open in Terminal’ in its context menu.
  • install the icon theme by running command ./install.sh -a in the pop-up terminal.

Apply new themes to make Ubuntu look like Mac OS X:

1. First open terminal, and run command to install required GTK engine and Gnome Tweak Tool:

sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-murrine gtk2-engines-pixbuf gnome-tweaks

2. Search for and install “user themes”  extension from GNOME Extension Manager (available in Ubuntu Software or App Center), so you can change the ‘Shell’ theme in next step (may need a log out and back in to apply).

3. Open Gnome Tweaks, and select the new themes under Applications, Icons, and Shell.

And click here to download Mojave default wallpapers.

4. Finally tweak the left panel by running following two commands in terminal:

    • To move left dock to bottom:
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock dock-position 'BOTTOM'
    • To shorten the dock:
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock extend-height false
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Firefox 72.0 Released with Picture-in-picture Video for Linux

Last updated: January 7, 2020

Mozilla Firefox 72.0 was released today. Picture-in-picture video now is available for Linux and Mac OS.

“Picture-in-picture” feature allows web video to be played in a “pop out” window. Simply select the blue icon from the right edge of a web video to pop open a floating window so you can keep watching while working in other tabs.

Other changes in Firefox 72.0 include:

  • Block fingerprinting scripts by default for all users
  • Replaces notification request pop-ups with speech bubble in address bar.
  • Remove support for blocking images from individual domains.
  • Various security fixes.

Download / Install Firefox in Ubuntu:

You’ll be able to upgrade the pre-installed Firefox to the latest 72.0 release in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 19.10, through the Software Updater in 2 or 3 days (check the building page).

Or install the Firefox 72 Snap package (runs in sandbox) simply from Ubuntu Software. It can be installed alongside pre-installed Firefox, and will automatically update to the latest.

Also Mozilla Firefox website offers non-install (extract and run the executable) tarball for all Linux desktop.

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KeePassXC Password Manager 2.5.2 Released (Ubuntu PPA)

Last updated: January 6, 2020

KeePassX 2 YubiKey support

KeePassXC, KeePass cross-platform community edition, released version 2.5.2 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 19.10 via PPA.

KeePassXC 2.5.2 features significant stability and usability improvements. Changes in the release include:

  • Show UI warning when entering invalid URLs
  • Option to use an entry only for HTTP auth
  • Disable the user interface when merging or saving the database
  • Ability to hide protected attribute after reveal
  • Improve GUI tests reliability on Hi-DPI displays
  • Fix crashes when saving a database to cloud storage

How to Install KeePassXC 2.5.2 in Ubuntu:

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, KeePassXC Snap package (runs in sandbox) can be easily installed via Ubuntu Software.

For those prefer native Ubuntu .deb package, open terminal from application menu or press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, and run following commands one by one:

1.) Run command to add the official PPA, which so far supports for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:phoerious/keepassxc

Type user password (no asterisk feedback due to security reason) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then upgrade KeePassXC from previous release via Software Updater:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install the password manager:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install keepassxc

Uninstall:

To remove the PPA, open Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove KeePassXC .deb package, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove keepassxc
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SuperTuxKart 1.1 Officially Released (Ubuntu PPA)

Last updated: January 5, 2020

3D kart racing game SuperTuxKart 1.1 was finally released today after one RC release.

Compared to the previous RC release, SuperTuxKart 1.1 adds ability to change the touchscreen controller type in race paused dialog.

A summary of the new changes according to the release note:

  • Improved online multiplayer play
    • Fix network lags in various scenarios when playing online
    • Add AI support to local networking servers
  • UI enhancements
  • A new arena: Pumpkin Park
  • Mobile enhancements and iOS support
  • Complex text layout and emoji support
  • Story mode timer for speedrunners
  • Generic polish and minor improvements

How to install SuperTuxKart 1.1 in Ubuntu:

The new release package should normally be made into the official PPA in 2 or 3 days, available for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher. CHECK HERE before getting started.

1. Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard, or by searching for ‘terminal’ from app launcher. When it opens, run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stk/dev

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

2. Then either upgrade SuperTuxKart from an existing version via Software Updater:

or install the game via commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install supertuxkart

Once installed, open the game from your system application launcher and enjoy!

Uninstall:

To remove SuperTuxKart, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove --auto-remove supertuxkart supertuxkart-data

To remove the PPA, open Software & Updates -> Other Software, and remove the repository line:

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Shotwell 0.30.8 Released with Fix for Tumblr Publishing

Last updated: January 4, 2020

Shotwell Photo Manager

Shotwell 0.30.8 was released today as the latest stable version. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

Shotwell 0.30.8 comes with updated translations and some bug-fixes, including:

  • Fix keyboard shortcut for adding tags
  • Fix Tumblr publishing issue
  • Fix month name translation in date/time chooser

Shotwell 0.23.5

How to install Shotwell 0.30.8 in Ubuntu:

If you’re OK with the flatpak package, which runs in sandbox, Shotwell 0.30.8 flatpak is available HERE.

Also Shotwell stable PPA maintains native .deb packages for Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, and v0.30.8 will be available in a few days (You may check the PPA link before getting started).

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to add PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yg-jensge/shotwell

2. To upgrade Shotwell from a previous, launch Software Updater and install available updates.

upgrade shotwell

NOTE: To undo the installation, and downgrade shotwell to the stock version in your Ubuntu repository, run command to purge the PPA:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:yg-jensge/shotwell
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Cozy – Modern GTK+ 4 Audio Book Player for Linux [Ubuntu PPA]

Last updated: April 24, 2024

Cozy is an open-source audio book player with a modern user interface. It’s written in Python programming language. Since version 1.3.0, the app is ported to GTK+ 4 and LibAdwaita for its user interface, and works in Linux and Mac OS.

Cozy automatically scans media library and imports your audiobooks in one directory. You can also drag and drop and audiobook into the app window to import it.

As a GTK app, it’s well integrated in Ubuntu, Fedora, and other Linux with Gnome Desktop. And dark mode is available to work at night. With libhandy library, it has an adaptive user interface that works well in different screen sizes, e.g., on PC, laptop, and mobile.

audio-book player features:

  • Sort audio books by author, reader & name
  • Remembers playback position
  • Sleep timer
  • Playback speed control
  • Offline Mode
  • Support for DRM free mp3, m4a (aac, ALAC, …), flac, ogg, wav files
  • Mpris integration (Media keys & playback info for desktop environment)

Option 1: How to Install Cozy in Ubuntu via Official PPA:

Cozy has an official Ubuntu PPA that so far contains packages for Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 23.10, and Ubuntu 24.04.

NOTE: Due to this bug, copy has package conflict to Gnome Extension Manger app. If you want to install both apps in your system, use the Flatpak package (See Option 2) instead!

Though Ubuntu 20.04 is not supported due to outdated libraries, it still can be installed via little modification.

1. Add Cozy PPA

Firstly press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or search for and open ‘terminal’ from start menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA repository:

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

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

2. Install dependencies and modify PPA for Ubuntu 20.04 ONLY!

For Ubuntu 20.04 and Linux Mint 20, you can either tweak PPA and install mismatched dependency libraries manually, or install Flatpak package (see next step) instead.

a.) Open “Software & Updates” utility, and navigate to “Other Software” tab. There choose and edit the Cozy PPA repository, and change value focal to hirsute for Distribution so it will install the package for Ubuntu 21.04 Hirsute instead.

b.) Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run commands to download & install updated python3-peewee and python3-mutagen libraries.

  • Navigate to the Downloads folder via cd command: 
    cd ~/Downloads
  • Download python3-peewee via wget network downloader: 
    wget -c http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/p/peewee/python3-peewee_3.13.1+dfsg-1_amd64.deb
  • And download python3-mutagen via command: 
    wget -c http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/m/mutagen/python3-mutagen_1.45.0-1_all.deb
  • Finally install both packages via: 
    sudo apt install ./python3-peewee*.deb ./python3-mutagen*.deb

NOTE: since the command download & install 64-bit packages for Desktop PC/Laptop. For mobile or other devices, you can grab them by searching the package name in packages.ubuntu.com.

c.) Add PPA for Libhandy-1 library.

Ubuntu 20.04 also lacks libhandy-1 library, which can be installed from another PPA via the maintainer. Open terminal and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apandada1/libhandy-1

You don’t have to run a individual command to install the library, because the next apt command will automatically install it as a dependency package.

3. Install Cozy via apt command.

Finally, run command in terminal to install Cozy audiobook player:

sudo apt install cozy

Option 2: How to Install Cozy in Ubuntu 18.04 & Higher via Flatpak:

Cozy audio book player is available as Flatpak package which runs in sandbox. It’s an universal package format that installs on most Linux distributions.

Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run following commands one by one.

1. Copy and paste the command and run to install flatpak framework:

sudo apt-get install flatpak

2. Add flathub, the official repository hosts most Flatpak packages:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

4. Finally install Cozy by running command:

flatpak install flathub com.github.geigi.cozy

Once installed, launch the software either from application menu and enjoy!

Uninstall Cozy:

To remove the Flatpak package, run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data com.github.geigi.cozy

For Cozy installed via Ubuntu PPA, remove it via command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove cozy

NOTE: the command may also remove libhandy-1 as well as Gnome Tweaks. Don’t worry, just install Gnome Tweaks back and it will re-depends on libhandy 0.x in Ubuntu 20.04.

To remove the Ubuntu PPAs, either open “Software & Updates” and go to “Other Software” tab, or run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:apandada1/libhandy-1
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:cozy-team/cozy
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Clementine Music Player 1.3.9 Released for Testing (How to Install)

Last updated: January 3, 2020

Clementine Music Player

Now it’s Clementine 1.4.0 rc1. Binary packages are available to download in the github releases page.

Clementine, an open-source audio player inspired by Amarok 1.4, released version 1.3.9 (then 1.3.92) a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu.

Though the last version 1.3.1 was released more than 3 years ago, Clementine player is still in active development, and version 1.3.9 (as well as 1.3.92) was released in recent days as the test release. However, there’s no announcement, no change-log so far. They seem to be the development releases for the next major release.

The latest Clementine 1.3.92 is available to download in the link below:

Clementine Developer Build

So far it offers .deb packages for Ubuntu 18.04 (bionic), Ubuntu 19.04 (disco), and Ubuntu 19.10 (eoan).

Just grab the .deb matches your Ubuntu edition (amd64 for 64-bit) and click install via Gdebi (install it via Ubuntu Software) package installer.

Once installed, open the player from your system application launcher and enjoy!

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MPV media player 0.31 Released (Ubuntu PPA)

Last updated: December 28, 2019

MPV media player logo

MPV, an open-source MPlayer nd MPlayer2 based media player, released version 0.31 today.

Changes in MPV 0.31 include:

  • Allow configurable swapchain color space for native HDR output
  • Add mechanisms for better logging as preperation for console.lua
  • Introduce a pseudo key name that grabs all text input
  • Add grab zone for resizing window with mouse
  • Implement pseudo client side decorations via OSC
  • Add video filter using vo_gpu’s renderer
  • Added console.lua: interactive REPL for input commands
  • Display Santa hat for idle logo in December
  • Add option to autoselect known good hwdec implementations
  • Peplace old event tap for media key support with MediaPlayer
  • Remove Apple Remote support
  • Many fixes and minor enhancements

How to Install MPV 0.31 in Ubuntu:

Although it’s not available at the moment of writing, you can add the Doug McMahon’s PPA in Ubuntu 18.04, and receive MPV package updates once published via Software Updater.

1.) Open terminal either by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mc3man/mpv-tests

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2.) If a previous version of MPV was installed, launch Software Updater and you’ll see new MPV package available to upgrade.

Or run command one by one in terminal to install (upgrade) MPV:

sudo apt install mpv

Uninstall:

To downgrade MPV to the stock version in Ubuntu main repositories, run command to purge the PPA:

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:mc3man/mpv-tests

To remove the PPA only, go to Software & Updates -> Other Software tab.

To simply remove MPV media player, either use Ubuntu Software or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove mpv
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