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Get Windows 7 Aero Flip 3D alike Alt+Tab Task Switcher in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: April 24, 2024

gnome shell

Fancy some 3D effects on your Ubuntu Desktop? There’s a gnome shell extension that enables Windows 7 Aero Flip 3D style ‘Alt+Tab’ app window switcher in Ubuntu.

Coverflow Alt-Tab is the extension works on Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.10, Ubuntu 18.04, and all other editions with Gnome 3 desktop.

1. If you’re first time installing a Gnome Shell extension, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to install the chrome-gnome-shell package:

sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

You may also install gnome-shell-extension-prefs, an utility to manage Gnome extensions.

2. Go to extensions.gnome.org/…/coverflow-alt-tab/. Click the link to install browser extension if it prompts.

3. Finally refresh the web page and turn on the toggle icon to install the Gnome Shell extension.

Once installed, press Alt+Tab and enjoy! For the preferences, use Gnome Tweaks or Extensions utility.

In Gnome Shell, Howtos ,
 

How to Install “X-Apps’ (Pix, Xed, Xplayer, Xreader, Xviewer) in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: April 24, 2024

This simple tutorial shows how to install x-apps, a bunch of GTK3 DE-agnostic applications, in Ubuntu 20.04 via PPA.

X-Apps are a bunch of GTK3 DE-agnostic applications that are not so tightly tied to a particular distribution or DE as their ancestors might be. The project was started in 2016 by Linux Mint.

The idea behind this project is to replace applications which no longer integrate properly outside of a particular environment (this is the case for a growing number of GNOME applications) and to give our desktop environments the same set of core applications, so that each change, each new feature being developed, each little improvement made in one of them will benefit not just one environment, but all of them.

This is an Ubuntu PPA that contains these app packages so far for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and Ubuntu 20.04.

  • pix – image management application based on gThumb,
  • xed – text editor based on Pluma,
  • xplayer – media player based on Totem,
  • xviewer – image viewer based on Eye of GNOME,
  • xreader – document reader based on Atril.

1. Open terminal from your system application launcher. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:savoury1/xapps

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

2. Then refresh package cache and install either or all of the packages:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install pix xed xplayer xviewer xreader

Just remove xed, xplayer, or any other package from the apt command if you don’t want to install it.

Uninstall X-Apps:

To remove the PPA, open terminal and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:savoury1/xapps

To remove x-apps, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove pix xed xplayer xviewer xreader
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How to Install Latest KiCad in Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, 20.04 [New PPA]

Last updated: April 25, 2024

This simple tutorial shows how to install the latest KiCad, schematic capture & PCB design software, in Ubuntu 24.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint via PPA.

KiCad is a free software suite for electronic design automation. It facilitates the design of schematics for electronic circuits and their conversion to PCB designs. KiCad was originally developed by Jean-Pierre Charras. It features an integrated environment for schematic capture and PCB layout design. Tools exist within the package to create a bill of materials, artwork, Gerber files, and 3D views of the PCB and its components.

The new official PPA was created a few months ago contains the latest packages for 8.0 release series. See here for the new features in the KiCad 8.x.

1. Open terminal either from system application launcher, or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kicad/kicad-8.0-releases

Type user password (no visual feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

NOTE: KiCad maintains individual PPAs for each release series! When next 9.x release series is out, there may be new PPA for it. So go check this page in case a new PPA is available when you see this tutorial.

2. Then refresh system package via command:

sudo apt update

For Ubuntu 18.04 & higher, this is done automatically while adding PPA.

3. Install the KiCad package:

sudo apt install kicad

Uninstall:

To remove KiCad package, run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove kicad

To remove the PPA, either go to Software & Updates -> Other Software or run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:kicad/kicad-8.0-releases
In Howtos
 

[Quick Tip] One Command to Get A Collection of Gnome Shell Extensions in Ubuntu

Last updated: April 24, 2024

This is a beginner’s guide shows how to easily extend functionality of GNOME Shell in Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, and Ubuntu 20.10.

Ubuntu by default includes three extensions: Desktop Icons, Ubuntu AppIndicators, and Ubuntu Dock.

Besides installing more from Gnome Shell extension website, you can run a single command to get a collection of extensions that provide additional and optional functionality.

The extensions include:

  • Applications Menu – add classic Gnome 2 menu in top-bar right after Activities.
  • Auto Move Windows – Move applications to specific workspaces when they create windows.
  • Horizontal workspaces – use a horizontal workspace layout.
  • Launch new instance – always launch a new instance when clicking app shortcut in the dash or the application menu.
  • Native Window Placement – Arrange windows in overview in a more compact way.
  • Places Status Indicator – add menu in top-bar to quick access user folders.
  • Removable Drive Menu – add system tray indicator to easy access and unmount removable devices.
  • Screenshot Window Sizer – Resize windows for gnome software screenshots.
  • User Themes – load shell themes from uer directory.
  • Window List – Display a window list at the bottom of the screen.
  • Workspace Indicator – add system tray applet to indicator in which workspace you are.

1. And the commands is (press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal and run the command):

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions gnome-shell-extension-prefs

2. After running the command, restart Gnome Shell by:

  1. press Alt+F2 on keyboard.
  2. try r in the pop-up ‘Run a Command’ box.
  3. hit Enter.

3. Finally open (or re-open) Extensions tool from app menu. You’ll see a list of new extensions. Enable any of them as you want and enjoy!

(Optional) If you don’t like them, simply run command to remove the package (restart Gnome Shell is required):

sudo apt remove gnome-shell-extensions

NOTE for clean freak: Even if you just need one or a few of the extensions, you can’t remove the package to get rid of the rest from showing in Extensions tool. As a workaround, you can install the extensions you need from extensions.gnome.org.

In Howtos
 

Ubuntu 20.10 Released! How to Upgrade from Ubuntu 20.04 to Ubuntu 20.10

Last updated: October 23, 2020

Ubuntu 20.10 Groovy Gorilla was officially released! Here’s how to upgrade from Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Ubuntu 20.10 will be supported for 9 months until July 2021. It features Linux Kernel 5.8, desktop images for Raspberry Pi 4, and GNOME 3.38 on Ubuntu Desktop.

Other changes include:

  • Airtime Queue limits for better WiFi connection quality
  • USB 4 (Thunderbolt 3 protocol) support added
  • Intel Gen11 (Ice Lake) and Gen12 (Tiger Lake) graphics support
  • Initial support for AMD Family 19h (Zen 3)
  • Initial support for POWER10
  • Toolchain update: GCC 10, LLVM 11, Python 3.8.6, etc.
  • nftables is now the default backend for the firewall.
  • The latest OpenStack, updated apps, and more.

Upgrade Ubuntu 20.04 to Ubuntu 20.10:

Ubuntu 20.10 ISO images are available to download at releases.ubuntu.com/20.10.

If you want to upgrade to Ubuntu 20.10 Groovy Gorilla from Ubuntu 20.04, do following steps one by one.

1. Back up all your important data. And you may also create a system restore point via TimeShift which is available in Ubuntu Software.

2. Open Software & Updates and do:

  • select download from Main Server in the first tab.
  • disable all third-party PPAs in the second tab.
  • select ‘Notify me of a new Ubuntu version: For any version‘ in the third tab.

3. Open Software Updater and install all system updates! Restart after installation if it asks.

4. Open Software Updater again, and it should prompt that Ubuntu 20.10 is available to upgrade.

5. Click on the Upgrade… button. Type your password when it prompts. You will be presented with the Release Notes for the release you’re about to upgrade to.

Click on the Upgrade button. It will download the upgrading tool and show you a Distribution Upgrade window allows you to monitor progress. If everything goes OK, you’ll be prompted to restart the system to complete the upgrade.

In Howtos, News
 

CopyQ Clipboard Manager 3.13.0 Released with New Script / Commands

Last updated: October 17, 2020

CopyQ, free open-source advanced clipboard managing software, released version 3.13.0 with new script function and command line options.

CopyQ 3.13.0 release highlights:

  • New focusPrevious() script function to activate window that was focused
    before the main window.
  • Export now write data to a temporary file before saving.
  • Display command are now also applied on item preview
  • New command line option “tray_menu_open_on_left_click” to check default mouse
    button behavior for tray icon.
  • New command line option “activate_item_with_single_click” to activate items
    with single click.
  • New command line options “filter_regular_expression” and “filter_case_insensitive” to change the item search behavior.
  • New command line option “native_menu_bar” to disable native/global menu bar.
  • Updated icons and various bug-fixes.

How to Install Copyq 3.13.0 in Ubuntu:

The official PPA repository has made the latest packages for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, and Ubuntu 20.10.

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. Then install CopyQ either via Synaptic package manager or by running commands in terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt 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.

In Howtos, News
 

Pitivi Video Editor 2020.09 Released, How to Install in Ubuntu 20.04

Last updated: October 14, 2020

Pitivi video editor 2020.09 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and derivatives.

It’s been more than 2 years since the last stable release, Pitivi 2020.09 features a plugin system, easy Ken-Burns effect, developer console plugin, timeline markers, user-interface and workflow improvements, a refactored media library, new keyboard shortcuts, and much more.

How to Install Pitivi in Ubuntu:

The new release has been into Ubuntu 20.10 universe repository. For Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Linux Mint and other Linux, it can be installed via Flathub repository.

1. Open terminal from system application launcher, then run command to install Flatpak (if you don’t have it):

sudo apt install flatpak

For Ubuntu 18.04, you have to add the PPA first before installing the flatpak daemon:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexlarsson/flatpak && sudo apt update

2. Then add the flathub repository by running command:

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

3. Finally install Pitivi video editor:

flatpak install flathub org.pitivi.Pitivi

Uninstall Pitivi Flatpak package:

For any reason, you can remove the flatpak package easily by running command in terminal:

flatpak uninstall org.pitivi.Pitivi
In Howtos, News
 

Calibre E-book App 5.0 Released with Highlighting & Dark Mode

Last updated: October 1, 2020

Calibre, cross-platform open-source comprehensive e-book software, released version 5.0 with some great new features.

Calibre 5.0 features highlighting in the E-book viewer. Simply select text and click the Highlight selection button. It can be colors, underlines, strikethrough, etc. and has added notes. All highlights can be both stored in EPUB files and centrally in the Calibre library.

The new release also feature Dark mode support. On Windows and Mac, it is activated automatically based on OS settings. In Ubuntu Linux, launch the software in dark mode via CALIBRE_USE_DARK_PALETTE=1 environment variable.
Other features in the release include:

  • Python 3 port. Some third-party plugins will no longer work, until they are also ported to Python 3.
  • Support both vertical and right-to-left text.
  • Enhanced search in the E-book viewer
  • Support bookmarking in content server’s in-browser viewer

How to Install Calibre 5.0 in Ubuntu Linux:

Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to download & install the official installer script:

sudo -v && wget -nv -O- https://download.calibre-ebook.com/linux-installer.sh | sudo sh /dev/stdin

Once installed, open it from system application launcher and enjoy!

Enable Calibre Dark Mode in Ubuntu:

To temporarily open the e-book reader in dark mode, simply run command:

export CALIBRE_USE_DARK_PALETTE=1 && calibre

To make it permanent, run command to edit the .desktop file and do:

  • add env CALIBRE_USE_DARK_PALETTE=1 at the beginning of the values of “TryExec” and “Exec”.
  • remove --detach flag, or the shortcut icon will disappear.

How to Remove Calibre E-book software in Linux:

To remove the software, open terminal and run command:

sudo calibre-uninstall

In Howtos, News ,
 

How to Install Emacs 27.1 via PPA in Ubuntu 20.04, 18.04, 16.04

Last updated: April 24, 2024

For those prefer Deb package to the containerized Snap or Flatpak package, Emacs text editor 27.1 now is available to install via an Ubuntu PPA for all the current releases.

GNU Emacs 27.1 was released more than 1 month ago. Thanks to Kevin Kelley, you can now install it in Ubuntu via this PPA repository.

The PPA package features:

  • native support for JSON
  • support for ACLs
  • support for libgmp
  • support for enhanced text rendering through Cairo and HarfBuzz
  • remove ImageMagick support
  • remove xwidgets support for Ubuntu 16.04.

1. Open terminal either from system application launcher or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelleyk/emacs

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) if it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then refresh system package cache and install the editor via 2 commands:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install emacs27

If you want, you can install the text-only user interface via sudo apt install emacs27-nox.

The PPA also contains emacs26 and emacs25 packages for choices.

(Optional) To uninstall the PPA, either go to ‘Software & Updater -> Other Software’, or run command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:kelleyk/emacs

And remove the Emacs text editor if you want by running command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove emacs27
In Howtos
 

VS Code IDE 1.49 Released, How to Install it in Ubuntu

Last updated: September 18, 2020

Visual Studio Code IDE 1.49 was released a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 18.04.

Visual Studio Code 1.49 release highlights include:

  • Format modified text – Limit formatting to just the code you’ve changed.
  • Add support for changing text casing during global Search and Replace.
  • Display pending changes per repository in the Source Control repositories view
  • Debug Console now supports quickly filter and find debugging output.
  • Improved JS debugger Auto Attach – “Smart” Auto Attach to Node.js scripts or test runners.
  • TypeScript optional chaining refactoring – Convert multiple checks to a concise optional chain.
  • JSDoc @deprecated tag support – IntelliSense clearly shows APIs marked as deprecated.
  • Notebook UX updates – Cell Status bar contributions, enhanced notebook diff editor.

How to Install VS Code 1.49 in Ubuntu:

The official .deb package is available to download at the link below:

Grab the deb and install it via either Gdebi package manager or command in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T):

sudo dpkg -i ~/Downloads/code_*.deb; sudo apt -f install

For those who want to receive updates for VS Code via Software Updater utility, add the Microsoft repository via following steps (64bit only):

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

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/vscode stable main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vscode.list'

2. Download and install the repository key via commands:

curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | gpg --dearmor > microsoft.gpg

sudo mv microsoft.gpg /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/microsoft.gpg

3. Finally install the IDE via command:

sudo apt-get install code

Uninstall Visual Studio Code:

To remove the code editor, either use Synaptic Package Manager or run command:

sudo apt-get remove --autoremove code

And remove the Microsoft repository by launching Software & Updates utility and navigating to Other Software tab.

In Howtos