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Mesa 18.1.3 Available to Install in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: July 2, 2018

For Ubuntu 18.04 users sticking to open-source graphics drivers, the latest Mesa 18.1.3 graphics library now is available to install via X-Updates PPA.

Mesa 18.1.3 was released a few days ago with several fixes to the RADV Vulkan driver, Meson and Autotools build systems updates, fixes within the common NIR and GLSL compiler code paths, a few Intel driver fixes, and more.

To enjoy some Linux games while using the open source RadeonSI / RADV / Intel / Nouveau drivers, you may follow below steps to install Mesa 18.1.3 in Ubuntu 18.04:

1. Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for ‘Terminal’ from software launcher. When it opens, run command:

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

Type your password (no asterisks feedback while typing) 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 repositories.

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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How to Install OpenShot 2.4.2 in Ubuntu 18.04, 16.04

Last updated: July 1, 2018

OpenShot Video Editor

OpenShot video editor 2.4.2 was released a day ago with exciting new effects, tons of bug fixes, and performance improvements.

OpenShot 2.4.2 release highlights:

  • 7 New Effects (Crop, Hue, Color Shift, Pixelate, Bars, Wave, Shift)
  • Auto audio mixing strategy per clip (average, reduce, or none)
  • Auto-Rotates any Clip with Reader metadata ‘rotate’ attribute.
  • Experimental codecs now supported in FFmpeg/LibAV
  • Many improvements for Audio playback, stability, export dialog, etc.
  • And numerous bug-fixes. See release note for details.

How to Install OpenShot 2.4.2 in Ubuntu:

OpenShot’s official PPA now contains the 2.4.2 release packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, and Ubuntu 17.10, and Ubuntu 18.04.

1. Open terminal (either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for ‘terminal’ from app launcher) and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:openshot.developers/ppa

Input your password (no visual asterisks feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter.

2. Then upgrade the editor via “Software Updater”, if you have a previous openshot-qt package installed.

Or run commands to check updates and install / upgrade OpenShot:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install openshot-qt libopenshot*

Uninstall:

To uninstall openshot video editor, run following command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove openshot-qt

And remove the PPA by launching “Software & Updates” and navigating to Other Software tab.

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Free Scorewriter MuseScore 2.3 Released (How to Install)

Last updated: July 27, 2018

Free and open-source musical notation software MuseScore 2.3 was released with new features and numerous bug fixes.

MuseScore 2.3 release highlights:

  • Implement extensions to provide an easy way to install soundfont, templates and instruments.xml
  • Add buzz roll tremolo stem
  • Add a more flexible way to choose noteheads in drumset for percussion instrument
  • Implement filters in Zerberus
  • Add ability to have a different MIDI pitch for drum instrument based on articulation or tremolo
  • Implemented flams and crush notation for unpitched percussion

And there are lots of bug-fixes, see the release note for details.

Install MuseScore via PPA in Ubuntu:

The software has a stable PPA contains the most recent MuseScore packages for all current Ubuntu releases.

Open terminal (either via Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching for terminal from app launcher) and run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mscore-ubuntu/mscore-stable

Then you can upgrade the software via Software Updater, or run command to install the latest MuseScore:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install musescore

For more details, see this how to tutorial.

Install MuseScore snap package in Ubuntu:

The software offers official snap package. Snap is an universal Linux package format that runs in sandbox and it auto-updates itself once a new release is published in snappy store.

The snap application can be easily installed in Ubuntu Software:

Download MuseScore appimage:

While PPA and Snap packages are always delayed for a few days, MuseScore 2.3 Appimages, single executable to run the software, are available for download:

MuseScore Appimage (64-bit)

MuseScore Appimage (32-bit)

Select download the appimage matches your OS type, and:

  1. go file Properties -> Permissions tab.
  2. check the box says “Allow executing file as program“
  3. finally click Run the appimage to launch MuseScore.

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Opera 54 Released with News Feed in Speed Dial

Last updated: June 28, 2018

opera web browser

Opera 54 stable was released today with some new features. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu.

Opera 54 release highlights:

  • Display news feed below your regular Speed Dial folders (enable it in Easy setup).
  • Add “Update and Recovery” in Opera Menu to check browser updates, and reset browser settings.
  • Updated to Chromium version 67.0.3396.87.

How to Install Opera 54 in Ubuntu:

The opera website offers official .deb binaries for Ubuntu Linux, available for download at the link below:

Download Opera for Linux

If you have a previous release installed, and enabled the official Opera Linux repository, upgrade it via Software Updater:

To manually add the Opera for Linux repository, open terminal via Ctrl+Alt+T or from app launcher, when it opens, run commands:

1. 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-get update

sudo apt-get install opera-stable
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Disable Your Laptop’s Webcam in Ubuntu 24.04 | 22.04

Last updated: August 23, 2024

This tutorial shows how to disable your laptop’s built-in webcam in Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 18.04.

If you rarely use the webcam in your laptop, then it’s a good choice to disable it for privacy and security reasons. Some laptops have physical buttons to do the job, but most others do NOT.

Besides covering your webcam with a sticky note, here’s how to configure your Ubuntu to soft-block using Kernel module option.

Continue Reading…

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How to Install Sonos Controller ‘Noson’ in Ubuntu

Last updated: March 14, 2025

Looking to control music from your Sonos devices in Ubuntu? Noson is a fast and smart controller for your SONOS devices that is written with QML/C++.

With Noson app, you can browse your music library and play track or radio on any zones. You can manage grouping zones, queue, and playlists, and fully control the playback.

Install Noson from Ubuntu Software or App Center:

The snap package of Noson, universal Linux package format runs in sandbox, is available in Ubuntu Software:

For those who hate Ubuntu Software, run command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) to install Noson snap:

snap install noson

Install Noson in Ubuntu via PPA:

For those who prefer traditional .deb package, Noson is also available to install via in the PPA repository for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04, and Ubuntu 24.10 on Intel/AMD CPU platform.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jlbarriere68/noson-app

type your password (no asterisk feedback while typing) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then check updates and install the software either via Synaptic package manager or by running commands in terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install noson-app

Once installed, launch the software and it automatically searches for your Sonos devices.

Uninstall:

To remove Noson Sonos controller, run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove noson-app

To remove the PPA, launch Software & Updates and navigate to Other Software tab, then remove the source line and reload.

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Handbrake Video Transcoder 1.1.1 Released (How to Install)

Last updated: June 19, 2018

Handbrake 1.1.1, the first bug-fix release for Handbrake 1.1 series, was released yesterday.

Handbrake 1.1.1 release highlights:

  • Fixed a potential crash in the comb detection filter
  • Fixed a potential crash in the padding filter
  • Fixed decoding certain very high bit rate ultra-high definition sources with extra large packets
  • Fixed last frame in source video missing in output
  • Fixed crash when decoding an empty audio track
  • Updated libraries: libvpx 1.7.0 (VP8/VP9 video encoding), x264 155 r2901 (H.264/AVC video encoding)
  • Fixed issues occurring when running multiple HandBrake instances simultaneously
  • Miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements

How to Install HandBrake 1.1.1 in Ubuntu:

The official HandBrake PPA has built the 1.1.1 release for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 17.10.

The Ubuntu 16.04 and Ubuntu 14.04 builds are broken at the moment, check the PPA link before getting started.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:stebbins/handbrake-releases

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing due to security reason) when it prompts and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then use Synaptic package manager or run following commands to install the video transcoder:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install handbrake-gtk handbrake-cli

Note: If you installed the distribution build of HandBrake from Ubuntu Software, you need to remove it before installing the new release from PPA.

Uninstall:

To remove the software, simply run command in terminal:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove handbrake-gtk handbrake-cli

And launch “Software & Updates -> Other Software” to remove PPAs.

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Adobe Brackets 1.13 Released with Auto Update (How to Install)

Last updated: June 18, 2018

brackets code editor

Adobe Brackets code editor 1.13 was released a few hours ago with some great new features.

Brackets 1.13 release highlights:

  • Manipulate folder structures from within Brackets
  • Open a remotely hosted web-page from within Brackets.
  • Brackets can now be updated with just a few clicks from within the app.

How to Install Brackets 1.13 in Ubuntu:

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

Download Brackets (.deb)

Just grab the .deb that matches your OS tyle, then click install via Gdebi package manager.

Or run command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) to install the downloaded package:

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/Brackets.Release.1.13*.deb; sudo apt-get -f install

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Clipboard Manager ‘CopyQ’ 3.5.0 Released (How to Install)

Last updated: June 17, 2018

CopyQ, an advanced clipboard manager with editing and scripting features, reached the 3.5.0 release a few hours ago.

CopyQ 3.5.0 release highlights:

  • Icon for global shortcuts in Shortcut configuration tab
  • Simpler icons (smaller installation footprint)
  • Faster copying and pasting from the application
  • Faster and simpler invocation for commands run automatically
  • More compact Process Manager dialog
  • Scriptable function select() waits for clipboard to be set
  • Image masks for colorizing icons (“icon-mask” and “icon-busy-mask”)
  • Improved logging and updated icons (Font Awesome 5.0.13)
  • X11: Faster clipboard/selection synchronization
  • And various bug-fixes.

Install Copyq 3.5.0 in Ubuntu:

The software has an official PPA repository that contains the latest packages for Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 17.10, Ubuntu 18.04 so far.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal from application launcher and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:hluk/copyq

Input your password (no visual feedback while typing) 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 launcher 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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How to Install Cinnamon Desktop 3.8 in Ubuntu 18.04

Last updated: June 17, 2018

Cinnamon

For those who want to try out the latest Cinnamon Desktop 3.8, without downloading Linux Mint 19, here’s how to install Cinnamon 3.8.x via PPA in Ubuntu 18.04.

Cinnamon 3.8 will be included in the upcoming Linux Mint 19. This Gnome based desktop environment has received better support for GTK+ 3.22 and client-side decorated windows, fully ported to Python 3, backported various changes from upstream GNOME, and more.

For Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, a stable PPA has built the Cinnamon 3.8 packages, so the desktop can be easily installed via following steps.

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

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:embrosyn/cinnamon

Input your password (no visual feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter. Read the PPA description and finally hit Enter to add the PPA.

2. Then run command to install Cinnamon Desktop 3.8:

sudo apt-get install cinnamon

3. Finally restart your computer. When you’re at Gnome login screen, click on your username and then click the gear button to select ‘Cinnamon‘ desktop session.

Uninstall:

To remove Cinnamon desktop, open terminal and run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove cinnamon cinnamon-*

And launch Software & Updates then navigate to Other Software tab to remove PPAs.

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