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HPLIP 3.19.8 Released with Linux Mint 19.2, Debian 10 Support

Last updated: August 28, 2019

HP Linux Imaging and Printing

HPLIP 3.19.8, HP developed printer and scanner drivers for Linux, was released today with new devices and new Linux Distro’s support.

HPLIP 3.19.8 add following new printers and scanners support:

  • HP DesignJet T1530 Postscript
  • HP DesignJet T2530 Postscript
  • HP DesignJet T930 Postscript
  • HP DesignJet T1600 Postscript Printer
  • HP DesignJet T1600dr Postscript Printer
  • HP DesignJet T2600 Postscript MFP
  • HP LaserJet Pro MFP M329dn
  • HP LaserJet Pro MFP M329dw
  • HP LaserJet Pro M305d
  • HP LaserJet Pro M304a
  • HP LaserJet Pro M305dn
  • HP LaserJet Pro M305dw

It also added support for following new Distro’s: OpenSuse 15.1, Debian 9.9, Debian 10, Manjaro 18.0.4, Linux Mint 19.2, RHEL 8.0.

1. To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.19.8.run” from the link below:

2. Then make the downloaded file executable from its Properties dialog > Permissions tab:

3. Finally open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or search for “terminal” from app launcher. When it opens, run command to start installing it:

./Downloads/hplip-3.19.8.run

4. Follow the terminal prompts, answer some questions to build and install HPLIP on your system. When everything is done, plug/re-plug your printers and enjoy!

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How to Install StepMania 5.1.0 Beta2 in Ubuntu 24.04 | 22.04 | 20.04

Last updated: April 22, 2024

This quick tutorial shows how to install StepMania 5.1.0 Beta2, free dance and rhythm game, in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 24.04

StepMania is a free dance and rhythm game for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It features 3D graphics, keyboard and “dance pad” support, and an editor for creating your own steps.

If you’re looking for the latest stable StepMania 5.0.12, use the unofficial PPA repository instead.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, you can follow the steps below one by one to install StepMania 5.1.0 Beta 2 via the Flatpak package (runs in sandbox).

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu.

When terminal opens, paste command below and hit run to install flatpak framework:

sudo apt-get install flatpak

2. Add flathub repository, which contains the game flatpak package:

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

4. Finally install StepMania via command:

flatpak install flathub com.stepmania.StepMania

Once installed, launch the software from application menu and enjoy (if the app icon is not visible, try log out and back in)!

NOTE: After installation, open “Files” (nautilus file manager), press Ctrl+H to show hidden folders, and navigate to .var/app/com.stepmania.StepMania/.stepmania-5.1, and put songs, themes, etc into relevant sub-folders to install them.

Uninstall:

To remove RetroArch flatpak package, run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall com.stepmania.StepMania
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How to Install ‘Gnome Feeds’ News Readers in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: August 25, 2019

Gnome Feeds is a minimal RSS/Atom feed reader written in Python 3 and GTK+ 3.

It offers a simple user interface that only shows the latest news from your subscriptions. Articles are shown in a web view by default, with javascript disabled for a faster and less intrusive user experience. There’s also a reader mode included, built from the one GNOME Web/Epiphany uses.

Gnome Feeds doesn’t integrate or sync with a cloud-based service, like Feedly or Inoreader, but feeds can be imported and exported via OPML.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from application menu.

2. Paste below command and run to install flatpak framework:

sudo apt-get install flatpak

3. Add flathub repository, which hosts a large list of flatpak applications:

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

4. Finally install Gnome Feeds via command:

flatpak install flathub org.gabmus.gnome-feeds

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

Uninstall:

To remove Gnome Feeds flatpak package, run command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall org.gabmus.gnome-feeds
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Kid3 Audio Tag Editor 3.8.0 Released! (How to Install)

Last updated: August 24, 2019

Kid3 audio tag editor 3.8.0 was released today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and derivatives.

According to the changelog, Kid3 3.8.0 features:

  • kid3-cli: Support JSON output.
  • Format codes %{modificationdate} and %{creationdate}.
  • Support ID3v2 GRP1 frame introduced with iTunes 12.5.4.
  • Import from Tags function which operates on selected files.
  • Explicit frame names can be used by prepending a ‘!’ character.
  • Adapt unified frame type mapping for better iTunes compatibility.
  • Support multiple covers in M4A files.
  • kid3-cli: Remove dependencies to GUI libraries.
  • Android: Show info how to write to SD card.
  • Android: Support Qt 5.12.

How to install Kid3 3.8.0 in Ubuntu 16.04/18.04:

The official Kid3 PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and derivatives.

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

1. Copy and paste following command in terminal and hit run to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ufleisch/kid3

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

2. Then you can upgrade Kid3 from a previous version via Software Updater:

or run commands one by one in terminal to install or upgrade to the latest tag editor:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install kid3-qt

For KUbuntu user, replace kid3-qt with kid3 in the last command for KDE integration.

Uninstall

To remove the PPA repository, either open Software & Updates -> Other Software tab, or run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ufleisch/kid3

To remove the audio tag editor, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove kid3 kid3-*
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Vivaldi Web Browser 2.7 Released with Better Sound Control

Last updated: August 21, 2019

Vivaldi web browser 2.7 was released today. The new version features better sound controls, smoother navigation and overall improvements.

Vivaldi 2.7 release highlights:

  • Add ‘Mute Tab’ option.
  • Add “Mute other Tabs” option in any background tab right-click menu.
  • Ability to create a desktop shortcut to access User Profiles quicker
  • Add a new option for the Flash player plugin (Settings > Webpages > Plugins)
  • Informative Status Bar at the bottom of the window.
  • Improved stability for mac OS.
  • And various other changes.

How to Install Vivaldi 2.7 in Ubuntu:

The official Ubuntu .DEB packages are available for download at the link below:

Grab the deb matches your OS, then install it via Ubuntu Software or Gdebi package manager. Or run command in terminal:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/vivaldi-stable_2.7*.deb

Vivaldi also has apt repository, with it you can install the browser and get future updates through Software Updater utility.

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. Download and install the repository keyring:

wget -qO- https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -

Typer user password when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Add Vivaldi repository via command:

sudo add-apt-repository 'deb https://repo.vivaldi.com/archive/deb/ stable main'

3. Finally check updates and install the web browser via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install vivaldi-stable

Or upgrade from an old version via Software Updater utility.

(Optional): To remove Vivaldi apt repository from you system, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

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How to Install FFmpeg 4.2 in Ubuntu 18.04 / Linux Mint 19.x

Last updated: December 11, 2019

FFmpeg multimedia libraries 4.2 was released a few weeks ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Linux Mint 19.x.

FFmpeg 4.2, codename “Ada”, is a major release that features:

  • tpad filter, dedot filter, freezedetect filter, lagfun filter, asoftclip filter, colorhold filter, xmedian filter, asr filter, derain filter, deesser filter, anlmdn filter, maskfun filter
  • chromashift and rgbashift filters, truehd_core bitstream filter, AV1 frame split bitstream filter, showspatial multimedia filter
  • dhav demuxer, vividas demuxer, KUX demuxer, IFV demuxer
  • hymt decoder, ARBC decoder, agm decoder, lscr decoder, VP4 video decoder, hcom demuxer and decoder
  • PCM-DVD encoder
  • GIF parser
  • removed libndi-newtek
  • libaribb24 based ARIB STD-B24 caption support (profiles A and C)
  • Support decoding of HEVC 4:4:4 content in vdpau, nvdec and cuviddec
  • AV1 decoding support through libdav1d
  • mov muxer writes tracks with unspecified language instead of English by default
  • added support for using clang to compile CUDA kernels

How to Install FFmpeg 4.2 in Ubuntu:

The unofficial PPA has built the packages for Ubuntu 18.04 and its derivatives.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4

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

2. Two more PPAs are required for the dependencies. Run following commands one by one in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/graphics
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/multimedia

3. You can then upgrade FFmpeg libraries via Software Updater (Update Manager):

Or run commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install ffmpeg

Once installed, you may check the software version via command ffmpeg -v

How to Restore:

The two dependencies PPAs contain many other application packages, you may remove them either via Software & Updates -> Other Software or by running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:savoury1/graphics
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:savoury1/multimedia

For any reason, you can downgrade FFmpeg to the stock version in Ubuntu universe repositories by purging the PPA via command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:savoury1/ffmpeg4
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CopyQ Clipboard Manager 3.9.1 Released (How-to Install)

Last updated: August 18, 2019

CopyQ, open-source clipboard manager with editing and scripting feature, released version 3.9.1 today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu.

CopyQ 3.9.1 release highlights:

  • Commands are moved to a separate configuration file “copyq-commands.ini”.
  • Horizontal tabs in the configuration dialog were replaced with a list of sections so it’s possible to view all of the sections even in a smaller window.
  • New option hide_main_window_in_task_bar can be set using copyq config hide_main_window_in_task_bar true.
  • New logs() script function prints application logs.
  • New clipboardFormatsToSave() script function allows to override clipboard
    formats to save.
  • Some hidden options can be modified using config() script function.
  • Font sizes in items and editor are limited to prevent application freeze.
  • Application icons are cached so as to avoid creating icons for the snip
    animation again.
  • And various bug-fixes.

How to Install Copyq 3.9.1 in Ubuntu:

The official PPA repository has made the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04, and Linux Mint 18.x, 19.x.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) from application menu and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:hluk/copyq

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

2. After added the PPA repository, install CopyQ either via Synaptic package manager or by running commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install copyq

Once installed, start the clipboard manager from application menu and you’ll see the icon in system tray area.

Uninstall:

To remove the software, either use Synaptic package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove copyq

To remove PPA repositories, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

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Mesa 19.1.4 Available to Install in Ubuntu 18.04 / 19.04

Last updated: August 16, 2019

Mesa 3D graphics library 19.1.4, which was released a week ago, now is made into PPA for Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 19.04.

For those sticking to the open-source RadeonSI / RADV / Intel / Nouveau drivers, Mesa 19.1.4 is the latest stable release with following release highlights:

  • Vulkan 24/48 bit formats are now not supported on Ivybridge.
  • R8G8B8_UNORM_SRGB is not supported on Haswell.
  • A fix for hair artifacts in Max Payne 3 on AMD/RADV.
  • Vulkan transform feedback extension is disabled on Intel gen7.

Canonical’s Timo Aaltonen has made Mesa 19.1.4 package into “Ubuntu-X” team PPA, available to install in Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 19.04.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/updates

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

2. After adding the PPA, do system update via command:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

apt-get update is not required any more in Ubuntu 18.04 since adding PPA automatically refreshes system package cache.

3. Finally check your driver version via command:

glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version"

Uninstall:

To restore changes and downgrade to the default drives shipped in Ubuntu 18.04, run command:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/updates
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Avidemux 2.7.4 Released with Tons of Bug-fixes (How to Install)

Last updated: August 15, 2019

Avidemux video editor released version 2.7.4 today with tons of bug-fixes. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 19.04.

Aivdemux 2.7.4 release highlights:

  • Detect and warn when cut points in H.264 video streams may result in playback issues despite being on keyframes
  • Update to the 4.1.4 release
  • Enable HW accelerated decoding of 8-bit HEVC for recent versions of Intel graphics driver on Windows
  • Support audio tracks in fragmented MP4 files
  • Support E-AC3 audio tracks in MP4 files
  • Fix ASF demuxer still broken by chance with MSVC++ only, the fix relevant for all platforms
  • Support more varieties of BMP images
  • Optimize output of the Mp4 muxer for streaming on Windows too
  • Add option to the Mp4 muxer to output fragmented MP4 files
  • Support WMAPRO audio codec for decoding
  • Support AAC with signal band replication (SBR) in external audio tracks
  • Numerous other fixes. See HERE for details.

How to Install Avidemux 2.7.4 in Ubuntu:

There are a few ways installing the latest the video editor in all curren Ubuntu releases.

  • Appimage, single executable (enable it in file properties dialog) to launch the editor.
  • Flatpak, community maintained package that runs in sandbox.
  • Native Ubuntu (.deb) packages via an unofficial PPA.

For Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 19.04, here’s how to install Avidemux 2.7.4 via the unofficial PPA.

1. Open terminal either from app launcher or via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/avidemux

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

2. Then run following 2 commands to refresh package cache and install the video editor:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install avidemux2.7-qt5 avidemux2.7-qt5-data avidemux2.7-plugins-qt5 avidemux2.7-jobs-qt5

NOTE: if you get software launching error similar to:

avidemux2.7_qt5: symbol lookup error: avidemux2.7_qt5: undefined symbol: _Z20extractH264FrameTypePhjPjPiP11ADM_SPSInfoS0_

try updating your system via command sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade.

Uninstall:

To remove the native Ubuntu .deb package of Avidemux 2.7, run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove avidemux2.7-*

And remove the PPA via Software & Updates utility under ‘Other Software’ tab.

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How to Upgrade Default Office Suite to LibreOffice 6.3 in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: August 14, 2019

Libreoffice, Ubuntu’s default office suite, released version 6.3 a few days ago. Here’s how to upgrade it in Ubuntu 18.04 and/or Ubuntu 19.04 via PPA.

LibreOffice 6.3 release highlights:

  • New ‘Tabbed Compact UI’
  • improved PDF export
  • improved Microsfot office file formats support.
  • Redact documents to remove/hide sensitive information
  • New ‘Tip-Of-The-Day’ dialog on startup

Although LibreOffice offers the latest snap package (runs in sandbox) in Ubuntu Software utility, you can choose upgrade the pre-installed LibreOffice package using the Fresh PPA.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcuts, or by searching for “terminal” from application launcher. When it opens, run command to add the LibreOffice PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa

Type user password (no asterisk feedback while typing) when it prompts, and read terminal output for PPA description and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then you’ll see the upgrade available in Software Updater after checking for updates.

Or run commands in terminal to install LibreOffice:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install libreoffice

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, you can skip sudo apt update as it’s done while adding PPA.

Uninstall:

You can restore to stock version of LibreOffice in Ubuntu main archive by running command in terminal:

sudo apt-get install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:libreoffice/ppa
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