Howtos | UbuntuHandbook

How to Install Sweet Home 3D 7.5 in Ubuntu 24.04 | 22.04

Last updated: September 26, 2024 — Leave a comment

This is a step by step guide shows how to install Sweet Home 3D, the free interior design software, in Ubuntu and other Linux.

Sweet Home 3D is a popular free open-source software to create & edit your home plan and furniture layout in 2D and 3D. It’s available in Ubuntu system repositories, but old!

To install the latest version of the software, you can choose:

either download official Linux tarball, and manually create app shortcut icon.
or install the Flatpak package, which runs in sandbox environment.

In Howtos sweet home 3d

Check SATA/NVMe SSD Disk Health & Other Info in Ubuntu 24.04 | 22.04

Last updated: September 24, 2024 — Leave a comment

This tutorial shows you how to check the health status, amount of read/written data, temperature, media error, and other useful info of your SSD in Ubuntu.

For Windows, there’s a popular CrystalDiskInfo utility for reading and monitoring HDD/SSD disk status. For those who’re looking for free open-source alternatives for Linux, here are 3 options:

Option 1: smartctl command line utility.
Option 2: GSmartControl – Graphical app based on smartctl + GTK3.
Option 3: QDiskinfo – Qt app with CrystalDiskInfo style user interface.

In Howtos CrystalDiskInfo, SSD

Disable Password Authentication Popups in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: September 21, 2024 — 3 Comments

When launching some apps (e.g., GParted, Synaptic, or Grub Customizer), install/uninstall packages with App Center or Software Updater, it always pops-up a dialog asking for admin password to authenticate.

This is great for security! But for ~~lazy men~~ those who don’t want to type user password again and again after logged in (or unlocked screen), it may be OK to disable the authentication window when using their computers at home or other safe places.

Password Authentication Pop-up in Ubuntu

In Howtos password, security

Enable KDE Plasma 6 Style Floating Bar in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: September 16, 2024 — Leave a comment

This tutorial shows how to enable floating top panel in Ubuntu 24.04, Fedora 40, Arch, Manjaro and other Linux with GNOME 46/47 Desktop.

Unlike traditional system panel which is usually stick to screen edge, floating bar (or panel) looks kinda like a desktop widget. It floats on the desktop, and usually has a small distance from the top or bottom edge.

Some systems, such as Windows 11, Zorin OS, Deepin Linux, include options to enable floating taskbar. The KDE Plasma 6 desktop even use it as default, which also automatically switches to solid panel style, when a window approaches or is maximized.

In Howtos Gnome

Enable One Time Password in Ubuntu 24.04 for SSH or Local Login

Last updated: September 17, 2024 — Leave a comment

This tutorial shows how to enable One Time PassWord in Ubuntu 24.04 for either local or remote SSH login.

One Time PassWord, OTPW in short, is a PAM module which is useful for allowing a user to login public or shared computer/server using a single-use password, that works only for one time.

By generating a list OTPW passwords, and configuring your system to allow OTPW logins, it will ask random one of the OTPW passwords on every login. And, that password will never work again once logged in successfully with it.

In Howtos password, security, ssh

Set up Authentication Key for Remote SSH Login in Ubuntu 24.04

Last updated: September 8, 2024 — Leave a comment

This is a simple tutorial shows how to disable password authentication, and use SSH key instead for remote login to remote Ubuntu Server or Desktop.

SSH (Secure Shell) is a popular and secure way to login remote servers and/or transfer data between local and remote machines. When you try to SSH to a remote server, it usually asks for user password for authentication.

However, passwords are not the most secure. They are generally either not complex or long enough to protect from attacks, or hard to remember and type again and again on every connection.

To be more secure and also save your time, the secure key authentication is a good choice. And, here’s how to set it up step by step.
Continue Reading…

In Howtos ssh

How to Share your USB Device in Ubuntu 24.04 over LAN

Last updated: September 27, 2024 — Leave a comment

This tutorial shows how to share your USB device, e.g., USB mouse/keyboard, USB drive, webcam, and speaker, in Ubuntu so you can access remotely from other computers/laptops.

Linux Kernel includes a command line tool called USB/IP, allowing to share USB devices between computers with their full functionality. So, a computer can use remote USB devices as if they were directly attached.

If you just want to share USB mouse & keyboard between computers, then Barrier is a good choice. But for webcam, usb drive, printer (through it usually has option to do the job), and other general USB devices, this tutorial will show you how.

In Howtos network, USB

Remap Keyboard Keys in Ubuntu 24.04 without 3rd Party Apps

Last updated: September 3, 2024 — 1 Comment

This is a step by step tutorial shows how to manually remap (or disable) keyboard keys in Ubuntu without using any third-party apps.

There are a few free open-source applications that can re-map your mouse, keyboard, and other input devices keys in Linux. As far as know, they include input remmaper and AntiMicroX.

For GNOME, the default desktop for Ubuntu and Fedora Workstation, there’s popular GNOME Tweak tool (available in AppCenter/GNOME Software) with options to remap Ctrl, Alt, and Caps Lock keys.

GNOME Tweaks

In Howtos keyboard

Disable Ubuntu Pro Updates in Ubuntu 24.04 Software Updater

Last updated: September 1, 2024 — 2 Comments

This tutorial shows how to disable “Ubuntu Pro” security updates in both apt command output and Software Updater dialog in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Ubuntu Pro is a comprehensive subscription for Extended Security Maintenance (esm in short), which also enables another 5-year support for Ubuntu LTS releases. And, it’s free for personal and small-scale commercial use on up to 5 machines.

In all current Ubuntu LTS releases, the apt upgrade command and “Software Updater” display the Ubuntu Pro updates, which is quite annoying. Rather than enable Ubuntu Pro, here’s how to get rid of the ads step by step.

Ubuntu Pro updates in Software Updater and terminal

In Howtos apt

How to Upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04.1 from Ubuntu 22.04

Last updated: September 5, 2024 — Leave a comment

Ubuntu announced the first point release of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS few days ago with lots of bug-fixes and performance improvements. It’s time to upgrade to the new LTS, for users who were worrying about the stability issues.

Ubuntu 24.04 is the current Long Term Support (LTS) release with 5 years of standard support until 2029, another 5 years Ubuntu Pro support until 2034, as well as legacy support until 2036. It features Linux Kernel 6.8, GNOME Desktop 46, and various other changes, see the official release note for details.

The new LTS had various upgrade issues, and stability / performance issues, for apps and hardware including Nautilus file manager, the new tiling assistant, NVIDIA on Wayland, Pipewire sound server, hybrid GPU machines, Remmina RDP client, online accounts, cursor themes, and more! They are all fixed in the release of Ubuntu 24.04.1.