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HPLIP 3.19.6 Released with More HP Printers/Scanners Support

Last updated: June 28, 2019

HP Linux Imaging and Printing

HPLIP, HP developed printer and scanner drivers for Linux, released version 3.19.6 with a lot of new devices support.

New devices supported in HPLIP 3.19.6:

  • HP Smart Tank 500 series, 510, 530 series, 610
  • HP Smart Tank Plus 550, 570 series, 650
  • HP Neverstop Laser MFP 1200a, 1200w
  • HP Laser NS MFP 1005, 1005w
  • HP Neverstop Laser 1000a, 1000w
  • HP Laser NS 1020, 1020w
  • HP DesignJet T2600dr Postscript MFP
  • HP DesignJet XL 3600 PS MFP
  • HP Color LaserJet Pro M453cdn, M454dn, M454cdn, M453cdw, M454nw, M454dw, M454cdw
  • HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479dw, M478fcdn, M479fdn, M479fcdn, M478fcdw, M479fdw, M479fnw, M479fcdw
  • HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428dw, M429dw, M428fdn, M428c1, M428c3, M428m, M429fdn, M428fdw, M428c2, M428c4, M429fdw.
  • HP LaserJet Pro M305d, M304a, M305dn, M305dw, M404d, M405d, M404n, M405n, M404dn, M404c1, M404c3, M404m, M405dn, M404dw, M404c2, M404c4, M405dw.

1. To install the software, download the package “hplip-3.19.6.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-3.19.6.run

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

4. Then 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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Opera 62 Released with Dark Mode, HD Displays Improvements

Last updated: June 27, 2019

Opera web browser 62 was released today with improved dark mode, design updates. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu.

Opera 62 release highlights:

  • Improved Dark Mode and support for Windows dark theme
  • Add bigger tiles option in EasySetup panel
  • Task Completer, connect browser’s history to Speed Dial
  • Bring back start-page preload service
  • And numerous other changes. See the release note.

How to Install Opera 62 in Ubuntu:

The Opera team offers snap package (containerised software package), which is always up-to-date (auto-updates itself). You can simply install it in Ubuntu Software:

Also traditional Opera binary package for Ubuntu is available for download at the link below:

To receive future updates through Software Updater, add the official Opera apt repository via following steps:

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

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://deb.opera.com/opera-stable/ stable non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/opera.list'

2. Get the key:

wget -O - http://deb.opera.com/archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

Finally either install Opera via following command or upgrade the browser via Software Updater:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install opera-stable

Uninstall:

For the Opera snap package, simply remove it from Ubuntu Software.

For the Opera apt repository, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab.

To remove traditional opera package, either use your system package manager or run command in terminal:

sudo apt remove --autoremove opera-stable
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Install Boxy SVG Editor via Snap in Ubuntu 16.04, 18.04, Higher

Last updated: June 25, 2019

Boxy SVG, a Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) editor, now can be easily installed in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and higher via Snap package.

SVG is the standard format for storing vector graphics such as icons, banners, charts and illustrations.

Boxy SVG project goal is to create the best SVG editor for non-technical users as well as for professional designers and developers.

Boxy SVG features:

  • Native SVG support.
  • Import PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, PDF and AI files and export to PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP and HTML.
  • Chromium-based rendering engine.
  • Google Fonts integration with hundreds of free fonts
  • Configurable keyboard shortcuts for over 100 commands
  • SVG and CSS code inspector similar to Chrome Dev Tools
  • And many other features.

Boxy SVG offers official Snap package for Linux. For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply search for and install it from Ubuntu Software:

For Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to make sure snapd daemon is installed:

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install the SVG editor via command:

sudo snap install boxy-svg

Once installed. Launch it from your system application menu and enjoy!

(Optional) To remove Boxy SVG editor either use Ubuntu Software or run command in terminal:

sudo snap remove boxy-svg
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How to Install Audio Effects Tool PulseEffects in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: December 21, 2019

This quick tutorial shows how to install PulseEffects, audio effects software (e.g., limiter, compressor, equalizer.), in Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and Ubuntu 19.10.

Ubuntu uses both ALSA and Pulseaudio for controlling sound input and output. ALSA is the kernel level sound mixer that manages your sound card directly. And Pulseaudio is a software mixer provides further tools on top of ALSA base.

PulseEffects is an open-source audio effects software for PulseAudio applications that support:

  • Applications output: Limiter, Auto gain, Expander, Compressor, Multiband compressor, Equalizer, Bass enhancer, Exciter, Crystalizer, Reverberation, Crossfeed, Filter (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject modes), Stereo tools, Loudness, Maximizer, Pitch, Gate, Multiband gate, De-esser, Convolver
  • Applications input: Gate, Multiband gate, WebRTC, Limiter, Compressor, Multiband compressor, Equalizer, Reverberation, Pitch, Filter (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-reject modes), De-esse

How to Install PulseEffects in Ubuntu / Linux Mint:

Following steps will show you how to install PulseEffects via Ubuntu PPA, though it’s also available as flatpak (containerized softare package).

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:mikhailnov/pulseeffects

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

2. For Linux Mint 19.x and other derivatives, refresh package cache may be required:

sudo apt update

3. Finally install the software via command:

sudo apt install pulseaudio pulseeffects --install-recommends

Once installation success. Restart Ubuntu, and finally launch it from application menu:

Uninstall:

To remove the software, simply open terminal and run command:

sudo apt remove pulseeffects

And open Software & Updates and navigate to Other Softwar tab to remove PPAs.

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Stellarium 0.19.1 Released with A Large List of Changes

Last updated: June 22, 2019

Free-software planetarium Stellarium 0.19.1 was released today with numerous bug-fixes, updates, and improvements.

Changes in Stellarium 0.19.1 include:

  • Allow to search an inactive meteor showers in Search Tool/Lists tool
  • Added ‘Azimuth vs. Time’ graph into AstroCalc/Graphs tool
  • Added feature to show tracks for latest several selected planets
  • Added tools for jumping to the next or previous time of rising, transit or setting for selected object.
  • Added hour angle and sidereal time to infomap.
  • Updated DSO textures, planetary nomenclature, list of asterisms.
  • Numerous fixes and other updates.

How to Install Stellarium 0.19.0 in Ubuntu:

The official Stellarium Ubuntu PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stellarium/stellarium-releases

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

2. Then upgrade Stellarium from an existing release with Software Updater utility:

Or run following commands to install the software for the first time:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install stellarium

Uninstall:

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

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove stellarium

And remove the PPA via “Software & Updates” utility under Other Software tab.

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How to List All Startup Applications / Services in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: June 21, 2019

This quick tutorial shows beginners how to list and edit all startup applications or services in the Startup Applications utility in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

In the default Ubuntu Gnome desktop, there’s a Startup Applications utility allows to add, remove, or edit system startup applications or services.

While most startup apps or services are hidden, it shows only a few applications or even is empty.

1. To display all hidden startup applications or services, simply open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo sed -i 's/NoDisplay=true/NoDisplay=false/g' /etc/xdg/autostart/*.desktop

Type user password when it prompts and hit Enter.

Then restart the utility and you’ll see a large list of applications. You MUST be careful as changing them may break your desktop.

2. And to hide them again, simply run command in terminal:

sudo sed -i 's/NoDisplay=false/NoDisplay=true/g' /etc/xdg/autostart/*.desktop

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Vivaldi 2.6 Released with Improved Security & User Profile

Last updated: June 20, 2019

Vivaldi web browser released new stable version 2.6 today with improved security, profile management and more.

Vivaldi 2.6 release highlights:

  • Add Privacy option to block abusive ads.
  • More personality to user profiles
  • Filter saved passwords in Settings → Privacy.
  • Add unread tab counter to the left panel
  • Add Razer headphone devices support for Razer Chroma
  • And various other changes.

How to Install Vivaldi 2.6 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_2.6*.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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Pick – A Color Picker for Ubuntu with History Support

Last updated: June 18, 2019

Pick is a simple open-source color picker application for Ubuntu Linux. It supports history by remembering last colors where you got them from.

Pick lets you pick colours from anywhere on your screen. Choose the colour you want and Pick remembers it, names it, and shows you a screenshot so you can remember where you got it from.

Zoom all the way in to pixels to pick just the right one. Show your colours in your choice of format: rgba() or hex, CSS or Gdk or Qt, whichever you prefer. Copy to the clipboard ready for pasting into code or graphics apps.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, you can easily install the tool from Ubuntu Software as it has been made as snap package.

For Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and install snapd first:

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install the Pick color picker via command:

sudo snap install pick-colour-picker

Once installed, launch the tool from application menu and enjoy.

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Qmmp 1.3.3 Released with Floating PulseAudio, ALSA, OSS4 Support

Last updated: June 16, 2019

Qmmp, Qt based audio player, released version 1.3.3 with improvements and bug fixes. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04.

Qmmp 1.3.3 release highlights:

  • added float output support for PulseAudio, ALSA and OSS4
  • added AppStream information
  • added more icon sizes
  • improved channel conversion
  • fixed feature to remove tracks when using quick search in the qsui plugin
  • fixed crash on some corrupted archives
  • fixed logo animation in the qsui plugin
  • fixed freezing in the ffmpeg plugin
  • translation updates.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:forkotov02/ppa

Input your password (no asterisk feedback while typing) and hit Enter to continue.

2. If a previous version exists, upgrade Qmmp using Software Updater:

Or run commands to install or upgrade Qmmp and its plugins:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install qmmp qmmp-plugin-pack

For qt4 version, use qmmp-qt4 and qmmp-plugin-pack-qt4 instead in the last command.

Uninstall:

You can manage the PPA repository via Software & Updates utility, under Other Software tab.

To remove Qmmp music player, either use your system package manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove qmmp qmmp-*
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Wing Python IDE Available to Install via Snap in Ubuntu

Last updated: June 15, 2019

Wing Python IDE 7 now can be easily installed via Snap package in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and higher.

Snap is a containerized software package runs in most Linux desktop. The official Wing snap packages include:

  • Wing Pro, full-featured Python IDE for professional developers
  • Wing Personal, free Python IDE for students and hobbyists
  • Wing 101, very simple free Python IDE for beginning programmers

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply search for and install Wing snap packages in Ubuntu Software:

For Ubuntu 16.04, open terminal and run command to install snapd daemon first.

sudo apt-get install snapd

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

Then install Wing personal 7 via command:

sudo snap install wing-personal7 --classic

Replace wing-personal7 in last command with wing7 for Wing Pro, or wing-101-7 for very simple version.

Uninstall:

To remove the Python IDE, either use Ubuntu Software or run command in terminal:

sudo snap remove wing-personal7

Also replace wing-personal7 with wing7 or wing-101-7 depends on which version you installed.

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