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Toontown Rewritten Available to Install in Ubuntu 18.04 / Higher

Last updated: June 30, 2019

Toontown Rewritten, a fan-made recreation of Disney’s closed MMORPG Toontown Online, now is available to install via Snap package in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and higher.

Toontown Rewritten (TTR) is free to play and open to anybody. The TTR snap package contains a slightly modified version of the official Toontown Rewritten launcher, including python 3 support. Due to the fact that this launcher is modified, the TTR team will not provide support if anything goes wrong with the launcher.

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, simply search for and install the game from Ubuntu Software utility:

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

sudo apt-get install snapd

Then install the Toontown Rewritten via command:

sudo snap install toontown

Once installed, launch it from your system application menu and enjoy!

Uninstall:

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

sudo snap remove toontown

In Howtos, News Toontown snap, Toontown Ubuntu

Kodi 18.3 Released with DTS-HD Support! How to Install

Last updated: June 29, 2019

Kodi media center released version 18.3 a day with DTS-HD audio support and many bug-fixes. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, Ubuntu 19.04, and derivatives.

Kodi 18.3, codename “Leia”, release highlights:

Fixed favourites widget not scrolling properly on 16:10 displays
Fixed API button was not reachable with a mouse on Settings window
Fixed Skin Settings window scrollbar focus
Fixed order of TV Show title and Episode title in Video Info dialog
Added Search button to the side menu in the Video and Music windows
Fixed Wall and Infowall views scroll to bottom on certain aspect-ratios
Fixed broken side menu navigation in the Addon Browser window
Fixed a Group Manager crash when adding a new group
Fixed EPG UI corruption and/or EPG data not showing with newly added channels
Fixed PVR guide window channel data being overwritten
Added support for DTS-HD audio tracks
Fixed wrong album or artist thumb art being picked from scraper results

How to Install Kodi 18.3 in Ubuntu:

The Kodi stable PPA has made the new release packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and their derivatives.

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or from application menu. When it opens, paste below command and hit run:

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

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

2. Then refresh system package cache and install Kodi 18.3 via command:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install kodi

For Ubuntu 18.04 and higher, you can skip the apt update command.

Uninstall:

To remove the Kodi PPA repository, simply open Software & Updates -> Other Software.

To remove Kodi, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove kodi kodi-data kodi-bin

In Howtos Kodi, Kodi DTS-HD audio

HPLIP 3.19.6 Released with More HP Printers/Scanners Support

Last updated: June 28, 2019

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!

In Howtos HP Print Driver for Linux, HPLIP

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

In Howtos, News Opera

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

In Howtos Boxy SVG, Boxy SVG Ubuntu, SVG editor

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.

In Howtos equalizer software, Install PulseEffects Ubuntu 19.04, Install PulseEffects Ubuntu 19.10

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.

In Howtos, News free planetarium software, Stellarium

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

In Howtos Edit startup applications, Show startup applications

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.

In Howtos, News Vivaldi

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.